Article I · Section 5 of 10
How each house runs itself
Article I: Congress
The one-line version
Each house sets its own rules, judges its members, and keeps a public record.
Section 5 in plain English
Each house decides whether its own members were elected fairly and are qualified. Each house needs a majority of its members present to do business. A smaller group can adjourn day to day and can require absent members to attend.
Each house makes its own rules. It can punish members for disorderly behavior. It can expel a member with a two-thirds vote.
Each house keeps a journal of what it does and publishes it, except parts it decides must stay secret. If one-fifth of the members present ask, each member's vote is recorded.
During a session, neither house can take a break of more than three days without the other's consent. Neither house can move to another meeting place without the other's consent.
Original text, 1788
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.