Congress Mandates Reading of Washington's Farewell Address: New Rule for Each Session's Start

Starting with each new Congress, both the Senate and the House will kick things off by having George Washington's Farewell Address read aloud. This isn't just a suggestion—it's now an official rule, baked right into the legislative process.

Setting the Stage

The bill, formally titled "Providing that George Washington's 'Farewell Address' shall be read at the beginning of each Congress," lays out a straightforward mandate. On the first day of the first regular session of each Congress, a designated Senator (chosen by the majority leader) and a Representative (selected by the Speaker of the House) will read Washington's Farewell Address. This is detailed in SEC. 1, ensuring the tradition is upheld consistently across both chambers.

Who Does the Reading, and What's the Point?

In the Senate, the majority leader picks a Senator for the job. Over in the House, the Speaker of the House designates a Representative. This formalizes a practice meant to remind lawmakers of the foundational principles and warnings laid out by Washington, particularly his concerns about partisanship and foreign entanglements.

Keeping It Flexible

While this new rule sets a standard, it also acknowledges Congress's ever-changing nature. SEC. 2. confirms that this resolution falls under Congress's rulemaking authority. What that means is that it becomes part of the procedural playbook for both the House and the Senate. It will take precedence over any rules that may conflict with this one. It also explicitly recognizes that each chamber—House and Senate—has the constitutional right to change these rules whenever they see fit, just like they can with any other rule. It is designed to respect the autonomy of each chamber, allowing future Congresses to modify or even scrap the reading if they decide it's no longer serving its purpose.

Real-World Implications

For most people, this won't change much about their day-to-day. But, it could mean a bit more formality at the start of each Congressional session. Think of it as a mandated history lesson before the legislative gears start turning. This new rule might be a nod to tradition, but it also raises some practical questions. For example, could the reading be used as a delaying tactic? Or could choosing who reads the address turn into a political tug-of-war? These are valid concerns, even if the bill's main aim is to promote a moment of reflection on American political values.

By adding this reading to the official start of each Congress, lawmakers are basically hitting the 'pause' button to reflect on some old-school advice before diving into new business. Whether it helps foster unity or becomes another procedural hurdle remains to be seen.