This section is from the book "The National Capitol. Its Architecture Art And History", by George C. Hazelton, Jr. Also available from Amazon: The National Capitol Its Architecture Art and History.
Each House of Congress makes its own rules, elects its officers and is the judge of the qualifications and elections of its members. Neither body can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other, nor to any other place than that in which Congress is sitting. They must meet at least once each year, and on the first Monday in December; but Congress may by law change this date. Each Congress dies at noon on the 4th of March of the odd year. The President may, " on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper." The Senate is always an organized body, and needs but to be called to order by the presiding officer. Its officers and rules stand until changed, but the officers and rules of the House remain only for one Congress.
 
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