A concurrent resolution extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Bill Number

S.Con.Res. 1

Origin Chamber

Senate

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

2025-05-27T14:12:53Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 1) extends the authority and operations of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to facilitate arrangements for the 2025 inauguration of the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States. It ensures continuity in planning and use of Capitol facilities for this constitutional event.

Key Provisions

• Reauthorization of the Committee: Effective January 3, 2025, the Joint Congressional Committee, originally established by Senate Concurrent Resolution 34 (118th Congress), is continued with its existing powers and authority to handle all necessary preparations for the inauguration.
• Authorization for Capitol Use: Effective January 3, 2025, the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 (118th Congress) are extended, allowing the committee to use the Rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol for inauguration proceedings and ceremonies, with the same permissions as before.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This resolution does not introduce new rules or powers; it simply extends the expiration of the prior resolutions from the 118th Congress into the 119th Congress.
• No substantive modifications are made to the committee's structure, responsibilities, or Capitol usage guidelines.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enables the congressional committee to coordinate seamlessly with other federal entities (e.g., Capitol Police, Architect of the Capitol) for security, logistics, and event management, avoiding disruptions in inauguration planning.
• On Citizens: Ensures the public inauguration ceremony proceeds as a traditional, accessible event symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power, with no direct effects on individual rights or services.
• On International Relations: Minimal impact, though it upholds the U.S. tradition of democratic transitions, which can project stability to global audiences.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: Gains continued legal authority to operate and make decisions.
• Members of Congress: The Senate and House of Representatives, as the resolution requires concurrence from both chambers.
• Executive Branch Officials: The incoming President-elect and Vice President-elect, who benefit from organized ceremonial arrangements.
• Capitol Support Staff: Entities managing the Capitol building, such as maintenance and security teams, involved in facilitating the event.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional Alignment: Supports Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which mandates the presidential inauguration on January 20, by ensuring preparatory mechanisms remain active without lapse.
• Legal Nature: As a concurrent resolution, it is an internal congressional action that does not require presidential approval and has no force of law outside Congress, but it is essential for procedural continuity.
• Political Neutrality: Reinforces bipartisan tradition in handling inaugurations, promoting stability during the transition between administrations without partisan alterations.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]

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.
• 2025-01-03: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-01-03: Considered as privileged matter.
• 2025-01-03: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• 2025-01-03: Received in the House.
• 2025-01-03: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7; text: CR S7)
• 2025-01-03: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
• 2025-01-03: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)
• Extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (1 pages)
• Extending the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (4 pages)