No Slacking, Constitution Article 1 §5.4

It’s not exactly great reading, but like a lot of literature, the Constitution is a simple text people have argued about for centuries. Unlike most literature, the outcomes from those arguments affect our lives every day, even if we aren’t aware of them. I like to know about the things that affect my life, when I can. So on Wednesdays we study the Constitution.

I am currently reading Article 1 (there are seven), and today I will finish section 5 (of 10 in this section). For those of you just tuning in, Article 1 is all about the legislative branch of government. Section 5 has been reading a lot like what people who make the introductory speeches at conferences call “housekeeping.” It has dealt with scheduling and quorums, discipline, and last week, keeping records.

Today I’ll look at Article 1 §5.4

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.

On the surface, it looks like a straightforward housekeeping rule to make sure the Houses don’t slack off or hold secret sessions, complete with the requisite balancing check that each House must keep an eye on the other. Is that the case?

Well, looking at the annotated Constitution, apparently so. There is no commentary on this clause.