Secret Sessions of the House and Senate

Publication Date: March 2008

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

“Secret,” or “closed,” sessions of the House and Senate exclude the press and the public. They are held to discuss business such as Senate deliberations during impeachment trials, issues of national security, and sensitive communications received from the President, all deemed to require confidentiality and secrecy. During a secret session, the doors of the chamber are closed. The chamber and its galleries are cleared of all individuals except Members and those officers and employees specified in the rules or essential to the session. Secret sessions occur infrequently. Any Member of Congress may request one, although there is usually agreement in advance among Members. For a longer discussion of secret sessions, see CRS Report RS20145, Secret Sessions of Congress: A Brief Historical Overview, by Mildred Amer. For more information on the legislative process, see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].