![]() ![]() While usually quite routine affairs with little substance involved, these brief meetings have occasionally been used as platforms to make political statements or attempt procedural gambits intended to favor one side over another. By convening even briefly once every three days or so (the regular interval for pro forma meetings), Congress can technically remain in continuous session without requiring its members to remain physically present in Washington D.C.īeyond these practical considerations though, the pro forma session has also taken on something of an ironic significance over time, particularly when it comes to partisan maneuvering. This includes things like presidential appointments or recess appointments that could circumvent normal confirmation processes if made during a period when Congress isn’t in active session.Īdditionally, holding pro forma sessions ensures continuity within the legislative branch during periods where members may be on recess or otherwise unavailable to attend scheduled official duties. For starters, they help to prevent certain actions from taking place while Congress is out of town or otherwise unavailable to conduct business. ![]() These sessions typically last only a few minutes and occur as often as needed throughout the year.īut why hold these pro forma sessions in the first place? There are several reasons behind this procedural tactic. In the context of Congressional sessions, pro forma describes a brief meeting held solely for ceremonial or administrative purposes, rather than for any substantive legislative work. Let’s dive into what these sessions entail, and why Congress holds them.įirst off, what does “pro forma” actually mean? The term comes from Latin and essentially means “as a matter of form”. One such term is “pro forma session”, which typically takes place during times when Congress is not in active legislative session. When it comes to the functioning of the United States Congress, there are a lot of technical terms and procedures that can sometimes be difficult to understand for those not well-versed in political parlance. Why and How Congress Pro Forma Sessions Are Held In other words, it’s a way for Congress to technically remain in session while allowing members to take time off without worrying about missing important votes or legislation.Ĭongressional leaders can use pro forma sessions to prevent President’s exercise of the Pocket Veto power to block legislation from becoming law. Differentiating a Regular Session from a Congress Pro Forma Session: Important Points to ConsiderĬongress pro forma session is a brief meeting of the House and/or Senate that takes place during a recess, without conducting any official business. ![]()
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