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The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2

United States. Constitutional Convention · 1787-07-19 to 1787-09-17 (convention debates recorded; excerpts reflect entries in the official journal as presented here) primary

passage 218 of 266 · Act to which the States by their Legislatures, make themselves parties, becomes a compact from which no one of the parties can recede of itself. > Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and

in brief
Article I excerpts procedural rules for each House: judging member elections, quorum and attendance enforcement, rulemaking and discipline including expulsion, keeping and publishing a journal with secrecy exceptions, recording yeas and nays, and limits on adjournment and location.

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.

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topics: assemblies, councils, and senates · justice as a virtue

The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitut… · United States. Constitutional Convention · 1787