quorum and voting majorities

• quorum = the required number of members of each house to be present in order to transact business during its regular or special sessions
• quorum = no law can be passed or a legislative function discharged unless this is reached
• quorum

  • SEC. 16, ART. 6 = a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner, and under such penalties, as such the House may provide
• quorum

  • SEC. 16, ART. 6 = in computing a quorum, members who are outside the country (thus, outside of each House's coercive jurisdiction) are not included
• voting majorities

  • DOCTRINE OF SHIFTING MAJORITY = for each House of Congress to pass a bill, only the votes of the majority of those present in the session is required
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • votes where requirements is based on ALL the members of the Congress i.e., entire composition of a House or Congress, regardless of the number of Members present or absent
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • senate shall elect its President and the Speaker of the House = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • punish for disorderly behavior; may suspend or expel = 2/3
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • override Presidential veto = 2/3
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • grant tax exemptions = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • elect a President in case of a tie = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • confirm appointment of VP = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • congress affirming that the President is unable to discharge powers and duties = 2/3
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • revoke or extend (a) martial law or (b) the suspension of the privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • amnesty grant = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • submit a question calling a constitutional convention to the electorate = majority
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • call for constitutional convention = 2/3
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • propose amendment as constitutional assembly = 3/4
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • determining President's disability = 2/3, both
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • declaring a state of war = 2/3, both
• voting majorities: exceptions to the doctrine of shifting majority

  • validity of treaty/international agreement = 2/3, senate
• legislative journal = official record of what is done and passed in a legislative assembly; in chronological order, day-by-day basis