Closed sessions of the United States Senate

The United States Senate has the authority for meeting in closed session, as described in the Standing Rules of the Senate.

The Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention met in secret. The Senate met in secret until 1794. The Senate’s executive sessions (such as nominations and treaties) were not opened until 1929.

Standing Senate Rules XXI, XXIX, and XXXI cover secret sessions for legislative and executive business (nominations and treaties). Rule XXIX calls for Senate consideration of treaties to be conducted in secret unless a majority votes to lift the “injunction of secrecy,” which it usually does. Rule XXXI mandates that all nominations be considered in open session unless the Senate votes to do so in secret. Rule XXI calls for the Senate to close its doors once a motion is made and seconded. The motion is not debatable, and its disposition is made behind closed doors. All of a chamber’s normal rules of debate apply during secret sessions, except during impeachment deliberations in the Senate.

For Senate impeachment proceedings, Rules XX and XXIV of the Senate Rules for Impeachment Trials govern secret deliberations. The Senate has interpreted these rules to require closed deliberations during impeachment trials.

The proceedings of a secret session are not published unless the Senate votes, during the meeting or at a later time, to release them. Then, those portions released are printed in the Congressional Record. If the Senate does not approve release of a secret session transcript, the transcript is stored in the Office of Senate Security and ultimately sent to the National Archives and Records Administration. The proceedings remain sealed until the Senate votes to remove the injunction of secrecy.

These sessions have been held 57 times since 1929. The following is a full list of those sessions, along with their dates and the reasons they were called:

Reason	Date(s)
Discussion of the Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination	October 23, 2020
Ratification of the New START Treaty	December 20, 2010
Impeachment trial of G. Thomas Porteous Jr. (final deliberation on verdict)	December 7, 2010 (5:45 pm – 7:56 pm)^[1]
The Plame affair and the Bush administration's role in pre-Iraq War intelligence (during debate on Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1995)	November 1, 2005 (2:25 pm – 4:43 pm)^[2]
Impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton (final deliberation on verdict)	February 9, 10, 11, 12, 1999^[3]
Impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton (debate on motion to subpoena witnesses)	January 26, 1999 (4:29 pm – 8:01 pm)^[4]
Impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton (debate on motion to dismiss articles of impeachment)	January 25, 1999 (5:50 pm – 9:51 pm)^[5]
Chemical Weapons Convention	April 24, 1997
Most favored nation status for People's Republic of China	February 25, 1992
Impeachment trial of Judge Walter Nixon	November 2, 1989
Impeachment trial of Judge Alcee Hastings	March 16 & October 19, 1989
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty	March 29, 1988
Impeachment trial of Judge Harry E. Claiborne	October 7 (two sessions), 8 & 9, 1986
Defense Authorization Bill, ASAT	June 12, 1984
Soviet Union arms control compliance	February 1, 1984
U.S. support of the Contras in Nicaragua	April 26, 1983
Nominations of Richard Burt and Richard McCormack	February 16, 1983
United States/Soviet Union defense capabilities	May 4, 1982
Armed Forces personnel management	February 1, 1980
Selective Service System	September 21, 1979
Aircraft sales to Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia	May 15, 1978
Torrijos-Carter Treaties on the Panama Canal	February 21 & 22, 1978
Neutron bomb funding	July 1, 1977
Defense Appropriations - Angola	December 17 & 18, 1975
Intelligence Activities, alleged assassination plots involving foreign leaders	November 20, 1975
Defense Appropriations	June 4, 1975
Maneuverable reentry vehicle	June 10, 1974
Trident submarine	September 25, 1973
National Security Study	May 2 (two sessions) & 4, 1972
U.S. involvement in Laos	June 7, 1971
Legislative Agenda for 91st Congress	December 18, 1970
Legislative Agenda for 91st Congress	September 10, 1970
Defense Appropriations	December 15, 1969
Defense Appropriations	July 17, 1969
Defense Appropriations	October 2, 1968
Committee on Intelligence Operations & Security Agency oversight	July 14, 1966
Nike-Zeus production	April 11, 1963
War front reports	October 7 & 8, 1943
Naval battleships and aircraft carriers	June 26, 1942
Impeachment of Judge Halsted L. Ritter	April 15 & 16, 1936
William MacCracken contempt proceedings	February 13 & 14, 1934
Investigation of ocean and air mail contracts involving William MacCracken and others	February 10, 1934
Impeachment of Judge Harold Louderback	May 24, 1933

Notes

^ 2010 Congressional Record, Vol. 156, Page S8595 .
^ 2005 Congressional Record, Vol. 151, Page S12101 .
^ 1:52pm-6:52pm on February 9 (1999 Congressional Record, Vol. 145, Page S1387 -S1388), 10:16am-6:21pm on February 10 (1999 Congressional Record, Vol. 145, Page S1412 ), 10:11am-7:00pm on February 11 (1999 Congressional Record, Vol. 145, Page S1437 ), 9:44am-12:04pm on February 12 (1999 Congressional Record, Vol. 145, Page S1458 ).
^ 1999 Congressional Record, Vol. 145, Page S1010
^ 1999 Congressional Record, Vol. 145, Page S974

References

Amer, Mildred (2004). "Secret Sessions of Congress: A Brief Historical Overview". Retrieved Nov. 5, 2005.
Amer, Mildred. (Nov. 3, 2005). "Secret Sessions of the House and Senate" Congressional Research Service. 98-718 GOV.
Dickerson, John (Nov. 1, 2005). "Dirty Harry". Slate.
Engber, Daniel (Nov. 2, 2005). "The XXI Club". Slate.