PolicyBrief
S.RES. 7
119th CongressJan 3rd 2025
A resolution fixing the hour of daily meeting of the Senate.
SENATE PASSED

This resolution establishes the daily meeting time for the Senate as 12:00 PM, unless otherwise decided.

John Thune
R

John Thune

Senator

SD

LEGISLATION

Senate Sets Regular Meeting Time at Noon: Flexibility for Schedule Changes Built-In

This resolution sets a standard daily meeting time for the Senate at 12:00 PM. Basically, it's like setting a regular work schedule so everyone knows when to show up.

Clocking In: The New Senate Schedule

The main point of this resolution is to make noon the usual start time for Senate sessions. This provides a predictable schedule, which can be helpful for Senators, staff, and anyone who needs to follow Senate proceedings. Think of it as setting the default hours for a business—it helps everyone stay on the same page. But, the resolution also includes a crucial provision: it allows for different meeting times to be scheduled as needed. This is important because sometimes, urgent matters come up, or schedules need to be adjusted to accommodate different situations.

Real-World Rollout: What to Expect

For most people, this resolution won't change much directly. However, it could make it slightly easier to track when the Senate is in session. If you're someone who regularly follows Senate activities, you'll have a better idea of when to tune in. For Senate staffers, this is like setting the standard workday—everyone knows when the main meetings will happen, but there's room to adjust if things get busy or an unexpected issue pops up.

Potential Roadblocks: Keeping Things Flexible

While setting a standard time is good for predictability, the real test will be how the flexibility is used. The resolution allows for different meeting times, and it will be important to see if this flexibility is used to handle urgent matters or if it becomes a way to schedule meetings at inconvenient times. For example, scheduling important sessions late at night or very early in the morning could limit public access and participation. This is something to keep an eye on to make sure the process stays transparent and accessible to everyone.