Washington Fixates on Sessions as DHS Shutdown Lingers Through Recess

Washington has fixated this week on brief congressional meetings. The spotlight fell on pro forma sessions as the DHS shutdown lingers through a recess.

What pro forma sessions are

Pro forma sessions are ceremonial congressional meetings. They fulfill a constitutional requirement to meet every three days.

Article I, Section 5 bars either chamber from adjourning more than three days without the other’s consent. Without an agreed adjournment resolution, either body must reconvene at three-day intervals.

How they usually work

These sessions typically include little or no legislative business. Often one lawmaker presides and the meeting ends in minutes.

House pro forma meetings usually last two to three minutes. Senate pro formas are shorter, often 25 to 35 seconds. One fast session recorded 21 seconds.

This week’s congressional activity

The Senate adjourned in the early hours on Friday, March 28. The House followed shortly before midnight the same day.

Absent a mutual adjournment resolution, both chambers had to meet the following Tuesday. The Senate gavels to order around 10:33 a.m. ET that Tuesday.

Sen. John Hoeven presided and adjourned after 31 seconds. Sen. Chris Coons was the only other senator present.

The Senate planned another pro forma on Thursday at 7 a.m. Many reporters gathered at the Capitol, looking for possible action.

Leadership moves and bill offers

House Republicans had pressed the Senate to accept a House-passed bill. That bill would have funded the Department of Homeland Security for two months.

On Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson reversed course. He agreed to a Senate-passed funding package that would finance DHS through Oct. 1, excluding Border Patrol and ICE.

Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune issued a joint statement endorsing the Senate approach. Around dawn Thursday, Thune appeared on the floor to press the package.

Why these sessions mattered this week

Pro forma sessions can be converted into full legislative meetings. Any senator or representative present may seek recognition to act.

This week, however, neither chamber used the brief sittings to pass funding. The House did not follow the Senate, and DHS remained shut down.

Political and procedural context

Partisan disagreement often blocks an adjournment resolution. Opponents sometimes use that leverage to prevent recess appointments.

Sen. Mike Lee publicly urged the president to consider invoking rare recess appointment powers. That option arises only if the Senate is in recess.

During recesses, a handful of lawmakers and staff typically handle pro formas. Presiders often come from nearby states, such as Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia.

What happens next

Because the House did not act, the DHS shutdown continues into the recess. Lawmakers must still agree to an adjournment or return and pass funding.

The presence of top leaders on a pro forma floor is unusual. Their involvement underscored how Congress fixates on these brief sessions when urgent business lingers.