1、Order Code 98-718 GOVUpdated March 27, 2008Secret Sessions of the House and SenateMildred AmerSpecialist in American GovernmentGovernment and Finance Division“Secret,” or “closed,” sessions of the House and Senate exclude the press and thepublic. They are held to discuss business such as Senate deli
2、berations duringimpeachment trials, issues of national security, and sensitive communications receivedfrom the President, all deemed to require confidentiality and secrecy. During a secretsession, the doors of the chamber are closed. The chamber and its galleries are cleared ofall individuals except
3、 Members and those officers and employees specified in the rulesor essential to the session. Secret sessions occur infrequently. Any Member of Congressmay request one, although there is usually agreement in advance among Members. Fora longer discussion of secret sessions, see CRS Report RS20145, Sec
4、ret Sessions ofCongress: A Brief Historical Overview, by Mildred Amer.Authority in the Constitution and RulesAuthority for the House and Senate to hold secret sessions appears in Article I,section 5, of the Constitution, which says: “Each House may determine the Rules of itsproceedingsEach House sha
