STANDING RULES FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES [Rules adopted Jan. 11, effective Jan. 21, 1884. Citations to all amendments through Jan. 12, 1959, are indicated by footnotes.] RULE I APPOINTMENT OF A SENATOR TO THE CHAIR 1. In the absence of the Vice President, the Senate shall choose a President pro tempore. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. On Mar. 12, 1890, the Senate agreed to the following: Resolved, That it is competent for the Senate to elect a President pro tempore, who shall hold the office during the pleasure of the Senate and until another is elected, and shall execute the duties thereof during all future absences of the Vice President until the Senate otherwise order. (S. Jour. 165, 51-1, Mar. 12, 1890.) 2. In the absence of the Vice President, and pending the election of a President pro tempore, the Secretary of the Senate, or in his absence the Chief Clerk, shall perform the duties of the Chair. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. 3. The President pro tempore shall have the right to name in open Senate, or, if absent, in writing, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair; but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment, except by unanimous consent. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. 4.' In event of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, or whenever the powers and duties of the President shall devolve on the Vice President, the President pro tempore shall have the right to name, in writing, a Senator As amended, S. Jour. 331, 332, 57-1, Apr. 18, 1902. As amended, S. Jour. 254, 56-1, Apr. 6, 1900; S. Jour. 41, 58-3, Dec. 15, 1904. to perform the duties of the Chair during his absence; and the Senator so named shall have the right to name in open session, or in writing, if absent, a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair, but such substitution shall not extend beyond adjournment, except by unanimous consent. [Jefferson's Manual, Sec. IX. On Jan. 4, 1905, the Senate agreed to the following: Resolved, That whenever a Senator shall be designated by the President pro tempore to perform the duties of the Chair during his temporary absence he shall be empowered to sign, as acting President pro tempore, the enrolled bills and joint resolutions coming from the House of Representatives for presentation to the President of the United States. (S. Jour. 47, 58–3, Jan. 4, 1905.) RULE II OATHS, ETC. The oaths or affirmations required by the Constitution and prescribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by each Senator, in open Senate, before entering upon his duties. OATHS REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND BY LAW TO BE TAKEN BY SENATORS UNDER RULE II I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States. (1 Stat. 23, June 1, 1789.) I, A B, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. (15 Stat. 85, July 11, 1868.) RULE III COMMENCEMENT OF DAILY SESSIONS 1. The Presiding Officer having taken the chair, and a quorum being present, the Journal of the preceding day shall |