Closed session of the United States Congress
In the
The discussions which take place in a closed session are subject to confidentiality rules and are similar to an executive session, which itself can be open or closed. An executive session is for business which includes the President of the United States.
Senate
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The United States Senate has been called into closed session 54 times since 1929.
Under the
All business is considered secret, including senatorial remarks, votes, and other parliamentary proceedings. The Senate can vote during the session or later to lift the secrecy, at which time the vote and the session proceedings will be published in the Congressional Record.
If a senator discloses any of the proceedings except as directed by the Senate, the body can vote for expulsion of the member; any officer that does the same would be subject to dismissal. In extreme cases, the Senate could vote the member or official in contempt of Congress.
House of Representatives
Like the Senate, the
References
- Amer, Mildred (November 3, 2005). "Secret Sessions of the House and Senate" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. 98-718 GOV.
- Reilly, Daniel W. (March 13, 2008). "Several House Democrats Object To Closed Session". CBS News.
- Babington, Charles (November 3, 2005). "Senate's Closed-Session Move Borne Out of Daschle's Strategy". Washington Post.