January 3: The Convening of Congress
Prayer Idea
Pray for members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives as they do their duty for the American people.
History Note
Section 2 of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution reads as follows:
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
New Senators take the oath of office and write their names in the Senate Oath Book. The Senators elect a president pro tempore to preside over the Senate when the vice president is not in attendance.
Members of the 115th Congress mingle with their families on January 3, 2017. Photo by Mark Reinstein / Shutterstock.com.
Members of the House of Representatives elect someone to serve as the Speaker of the House. Then the members of the House take their oath of office.
Senators and Representatives prepare to begin their their work of introducing bills, attending committee meetings, voting on legislation, and helping constituents from their home states.
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This video shows Vice President Mike Pence swearing in newly-elected senators in 2019.
