Defining 'Calendar Day' in Congress

Congressional Research Service Summary

The rules package for the 119th Congress (H.Res. 5) included provisions formally distinguishing between “calendar days” and “legislative days.” Under congressional procedure, a “legislative day” begins when the chamber convenes and ends when it adjourns — meaning a single legislative day can stretch across multiple calendar days if the chamber recesses rather than adjourns.

Bill Details

This procedural quirk has been part of congressional operations for over a century, but its formal codification in the 119th Congress rules package drew renewed attention. The Senate has famously exploited the “legislative day” concept — in 1980, a single Senate “legislative day” lasted from January 3 to June 12, spanning 162 calendar days.

The practical effect is that deadlines written in “legislative days” can be stretched far beyond what a normal person would consider reasonable. A requirement to act within “10 days” might mean 10 actual days — or 10 months, depending on the chamber’s recess schedule. Critics call it a loophole that allows Congress to dodge its own deadlines. Defenders call it a necessary procedural flexibility. Everyone else calls it absurd.

Source: This is part of the rules package adopted by the 119th Congress. View on Congress.gov.

Disclaimer: The absurdity score and editorial commentary above represent this site’s opinion. Bill details should be verified at Congress.gov.