Congressional Sessions

                The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday comes from Section 2 of the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:  “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.”  This provision states that Congress is required to meet together at least once each year and may select a different day of meeting other than January 3.

                W. Cleon Skousen explained, “There are always unforeseen circumstances which make it desirable to allow the Congress to adjust its opening session to an earlier or later time if necessary.  The possibility of war or other exigency might also make the change of date desirable.”  (See The Making of America – The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution, p. 752.)