What was the purpose of the joint meeting of Congress on January 6?

On January 6, 1941, two Joint Sessions were held the same day: to count the presidential electoral votes and to hear President Franklin Roosevelt deliver his Annual Message to Congress.

What body determines who becomes President if there is a tie in the Electoral College vote?

With 538 Electors, a candidate must receive at least 270 votes to be elected to the office of President or Vice President. Should no presidential candidate receive an absolute majority, the House of Representatives determines who the next President will be.

Who counts the electoral votes before a joint session of Congress?

Consideration of Certificates of Electors Generally A joint session to count the electoral votes is presided over by the President of the Senate. 3 USC Sec. 15. In the absence of the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore of the Senate presides and calls the session to order.

What is it called when both Houses of Congress meet together at the same time?

A joint session of the United States Congress is a gathering of members of the two chambers of the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Where do both Houses of Congress meet?

U.S. Capitol Building. The most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world, the United States Capitol has housed Congress since 1800. The Capitol is where Congress meets to write the laws of our nation, and where presidents are inaugurated and deliver their annual State of the Union messages.

Why did Congress pass the twenty second amendment?

In America, however, fear that the two-presidential term convention could not be restored, combined with Republican and conservative Democrats’ worries of executive tyranny sparked by the strong Roosevelt presidency, led to enactment of the Twenty-Second Amendment.

What is the title of the person who opens and counts the electoral votes?

Congress meets in joint session in the House of Representatives on January 6 to count the electoral votes. The Vice President, as President of the Senate, is the presiding officer. Tellers open, present, and record the votes of the States in alphabetical order.

How long does it take to debate an objection in Congress?

If Tuberville, or another GOP senator, signs on to a House member’s objection, then both chambers of Congress will be required to separately debate the objections for a maximum of two hours. In order for an objection to any state’s votes to succeed, both chambers of Congress must “concurrently” agree with the objection.

What happens if there is an objection in the House of Representatives?

Both houses must vote separately to agree to the objection by simple majority. Otherwise, the objection fails and the vote or votes are counted. (3 U.S.C. §15 provides that “the two Houses concurrently may reject the vote or votes.”)

Will the Senate sign on to Trump’s objections to state results?

Any member of the House can submit an objection to a state’s results in writing. However, these objections will hold weight only if a member of the Senate signs on. While GOP allies of Trump in the House have been more vocal about their intention to object, some Republican senators appear to be open to the idea of joining this effort.

When does Congress meet in the 117th Congress?

After being sworn in days earlier on January 3, the Senate and House members of the 117th Congress will meet on January 6 at 1 p.m. to open up and count the votes cast by the Electoral College.