Title 2 — The CongressRelease 119-73not60
§198 Adjournment
Title 2 › Chapter 6— CONGRESSIONAL AND COMMITTEE PROCEDURE; INVESTIGATIONS › § 198
Summary
Both the House and the Senate must stop meeting for the year by July 31, unless Congress sets a different rule. In odd-numbered years, they can instead, by July 31, each pass the same resolution with a roll-call vote to take a break starting on that Friday in August which is at least 30 days before Labor Day and lasting until the second day after Labor Day. If Congress has declared a state of war on July 31, these rules do not apply that year.
Full Legal Text
Title 2, §198
The Congress — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Unless otherwise provided by the Congress, the two Houses shall—
(1)adjourn sine die not later than July 31 of each year; or
(2)in the case of an odd-numbered year, provide, not later than July 31 of such year, by concurrent resolution adopted in each House by roll-call vote, for the adjournment of the two Houses from that Friday in August which occurs at least thirty days before the first Monday in September (Labor Day) of such year to the second day after Labor Day.
(b)This section shall not be applicable in any year if on July 31 of such year a state of war exists pursuant to a declaration of war by the Congress.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1970—Pub. L. 95–110, in amending section generally, incorporated existing subject matter in subsec. (a)(1), substituted therein an adjournment date not later than July 31 of each year for prior provision for a date not later than last day (Sundays excepted) in month of July in each year, added subsec. (a)(2), added subsec. (b) which incorporated former exception to adjournment in time of war, and deleted another exception to adjournment during national emergency proclaimed by the President.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1970 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 91–510 effective immediately prior to noon on Jan. 3, 1971, see section 601(1) of Pub. L. 91–510, set out as a note under section 4301 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective Jan. 2, 1947, see section 142 of act Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 753, title I, 60 Stat. 834.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
2 U.S.C. § 198
Title 2 — The Congress
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60