Authorizing the Speaker to appoint a committee to notify the President of the assembly of the Congress.

Bill Number

H.Res. 3

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-01-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Last Updated

2025-01-15T18:19:16Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution (H. Res. 3) is a procedural measure adopted at the beginning of the 119th Congress to formally notify the President of the United States that both the House of Representatives and the Senate have assembled with a sufficient number of members (a quorum) and are prepared to conduct business and receive any messages from the President.

Key Provisions

• Directs the Speaker of the House to appoint two members to form a joint committee with the Senate.
• The joint committee's role is to inform the President that Congress has a quorum in each chamber and is ready for official communications.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• None. This is a routine, non-substantive resolution that follows longstanding congressional tradition and does not amend or alter any existing statutes, rules, or laws.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Minimal; it signals the start of the legislative session, allowing the executive branch to proceed with routine interactions with Congress.
• On citizens: No direct impact; it is an internal procedural step that enables Congress to begin addressing public policy matters.
• On international relations: None; this is a domestic formality unrelated to foreign affairs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: House and Senate members, particularly the Speaker and Senate leadership, who appoint the committee.
• President and Executive Branch: Receives formal notification to initiate communications, such as the State of the Union address.
• Congressional staff: Involved in coordinating the joint committee's activities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional: Aligns with Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which requires a quorum (majority of members) for Congress to conduct business, ensuring procedural legitimacy at the session's outset.
• Legal: As a simple resolution, it is not subject to presidential approval and has no force of law beyond the House's internal operations.
• Political: Symbolizes the formal opening of the congressional session, potentially setting a tone for bipartisan cooperation in notifying the President; it has no partisan content but underscores the separation of powers by affirming Congress's readiness to engage with the executive.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-01-03: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H8)
• 2025-01-03: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H8)
• 2025-01-03: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H8)
• 2025-01-03: Submitted in House
• 2025-01-03: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• H. RES. 3 (EH) - Engrossed in House — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (1 pages)