A concurrent resolution to provide for the counting on January 6, 2025, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States.

Bill Number

S.Con.Res. 2

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

2025-01-30T17:44:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This concurrent resolution establishes the date, time, location, and procedures for a joint session of Congress to count the electoral votes for President and Vice President, as required by the U.S. Constitution (specifically the 12th Amendment) and related laws. It ensures an orderly certification of the 2024 presidential election results.

Key Provisions

• Session Details: The Senate and House of Representatives will meet in the Hall of the House on January 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
• Presiding Officer: The President of the Senate (typically the Vice President) will preside over the session.
• Tellers Appointment: Two tellers will be appointed in advance by the President of the Senate (for the Senate) and two by the Speaker of the House (for the House).
• Vote Counting Process:
• Certificates of electoral votes from states and the District of Columbia will be handed to the tellers as they are opened by the President of the Senate.
• Certificates will be processed in alphabetical order by state, starting with "A."
• Tellers will read the votes aloud in the presence of both Houses, prepare a list of votes, and count them according to existing laws.
• Announcement and Recording: The President of the Senate will announce the final tally, which serves as the official declaration of the elected President and Vice President (if applicable). The results and vote list will be entered into the journals of both Houses.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution introduces no substantive changes to current law. It reaffirms and schedules the standard procedures outlined in the Electoral Count Act of 1887 (as amended) and constitutional requirements, serving as a routine administrative measure for the 119th Congress.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Ensures a smooth transition to the new administration by formally certifying the election, affecting the executive branch's inauguration on January 20, 2025. It involves coordination between congressional offices, the Vice President's office, and archival bodies like the National Archives.
• On Citizens: Provides transparency and finality to the presidential election process, potentially building public confidence in democratic institutions, though it does not directly alter voting rights or outcomes.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but a timely and undisputed certification supports U.S. credibility in global diplomacy, signaling stable governance to allies and adversaries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: Both the Senate and House, including leadership roles for the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.
• Executive Branch: The outgoing and incoming President and Vice President, as the process determines their successors.
• States and Territories: Governors, secretaries of state, and electoral college participants, whose vote certificates are central to the proceedings.
• Public and Media: Indirectly affected through the open, witnessed nature of the session, which promotes accountability.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Constitutional: Fulfills Article II, Section 1, and the 12th Amendment of the Constitution, which mandate Congress's role in counting electoral votes. It upholds the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022's safeguards against disruptions, emphasizing alphabetical state order and teller verification to prevent errors or challenges.
• Political: As a bipartisan concurrent resolution (agreed to by the Senate), it underscores congressional unity in electoral certification, potentially mitigating risks of controversy seen in prior sessions (e.g., 2021). However, it could become a focal point for political debate if disputes arise over certificates, though the document itself prioritizes procedural neutrality.

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

• To provide for the counting on January 6, 2025, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)
• To provide for the counting on January 6, 2025, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)
• To provide for the counting on January 6, 2025, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (4 pages)