Adjournment Sine Die
Short Definition
An adjournment that terminates an annual session of Congress. A “sine die” (“without day”) adjournment sets no day for reconvening.
Long Explanation
An adjournment that terminates an annual session of Congress. A “sine die” (“without day”) adjournment sets no day for reconvening, so that Congress will not meet again until the first day of the next session. Under the Constitution, adjournment sine die (except when the next session is about to convene) requires the agreement of both chambers, accomplished through adoption of a concurrent resolution, which in current practice also authorizes leaders of either chamber to reconvene its session if circumstances warrant.
In practice, Adjournment Sine Die is useful because it helps a visitor connect a word or phrase to government records, official decisions, public services, or civic responsibilities. When you see the term in an official source, ask which office has authority, what decision is being made, which deadline or rule matters, and where the public record can be checked.
Examples
Common Misconception
A common mistake is treating Adjournment Sine Die as a slogan instead of a term connected to a specific public process. The safest approach is to ask what authority, document, deadline, office, or public record gives the term its meaning.
Related Terms
Legislative ProcessLegislationConstitutionsine die adjournment
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