Congress Mandates Reading of Washington’s Farewell Address to Kick Off Every New Session

This resolution establishes a new ritual for the start of each two-year term of Congress, requiring that George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address be read aloud in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Under Section 1, the reading must take place on the first day of the first regular session of each new Congress. In the Senate, the Majority Leader will pick a Senator to handle the reading, while in the House, the Speaker will designate a Representative for the task. It is a formal way of forcing a pause for historical reflection before the legislative grind begins.

A Mandatory History Lesson

The resolution uses Congress’s constitutional rulemaking power to make this reading a formal part of the operating procedures for both chambers. According to Section 2, this requirement overrides any existing rules that might get in the way, though it also clarifies that the House and Senate still keep their right to change these rules later if they choose. For a busy office worker or a contractor watching C-SPAN, this means the very first thing you’ll see from your elected officials every two years isn't a debate on taxes or infrastructure, but a roughly 45-minute recitation of Washington’s warnings about political factions and foreign entanglements.

Setting the Tone

By embedding this into the official rules, the bill aims to ensure that foundational American principles are front and center as new laws are drafted. While this doesn't change your tax bracket or your commute, it does change the 'onboarding' process for every member of Congress. Whether you’re a software engineer or a small business owner, the goal is to have your representative start their term by listening to the same advice the first president gave the nation over two centuries ago. The real-world impact is primarily symbolic, ensuring that the first order of business is a reminder of the country’s origins before the modern political cycle takes over.