Session
The period during which a legislative body meets to conduct business. The U.S. Congress has two regular sessions per two-year term, one for each year, beginning on January 3rd unless Congress designates a different day by law.
The period during which a legislative body meets to conduct business. The U.S. Congress has two regular sessions per two-year term, one for each year, beginning on January 3rd unless Congress designates a different day by law.
Example: The ‘lame-duck session’ occurs after a November election but before the new Congress is sworn in, allowing outgoing members to vote on pending legislation.
Common misconception: The President can call Congress into session whenever they want. Article II allows the President to convene either or both houses of Congress on ‘extraordinary occasions,’ but this power is rarely used, as Congress now sets its own schedule and remains in session for most of the year.
Sources: https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-20/ — 20th Amendment (Constitution Annotated): Congress assembles at noon on January 3 unless a different day is set by law; https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution — Article II, §3: the President may convene both Houses on extraordinary occasions