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ARTICLE · 08 SEPTEMBER 2023

Executive Session

Thompson Coburn LLP
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The Founders established Executive Session in Article II, Section II of the Constitution, and it is a process that is unique to the Senate. Guidelines for the different categories of Executive Sessions...

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
James Conway
James Conway
Jack Jacobson
Jack Jacobson
Christopher Murray
Christopher Murray
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A special parliamentary period when the Senate provides its prerogative on treaties, nominations, and other business.

Executive Time

The Founders established Executive Session in Article II, Section II of the Constitution, and it is a process that is unique to the Senate. Guidelines for the different categories of Executive Sessions are authorized in Senate Rule XXIX and vary based on the business under consideration. These special sessions were private until 1929 and thus remained behind closed doors for nearly 150 years. The only closed versions of these sessions today are on sensitive national security matters. Most of these special parliamentary periods are not newsworthy on their own, but senators can use political maneuvers during these sessions to create headwinds.

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