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The First Day of a New Congress: A Guide to Proceedings on the Senate Floor The Senate follows a well-established routine on the opening day of a new Congress. The proceedings include • swearing in Senators elected or re-elected in the most recent general election (approximately one-third of the Senate); • establishing the presence of a quorum; • adopting administrative resolutions; • adopting standing orders for the new Congress; • agreeing by unanimous consent to any date, other than the convening date, on which bills and joint resolutions may begin to be introduced; and • electing a new President pro tempore and one or more Senate officers if there is a vacancy or change in party control. The majority and minority leaders usually make welcoming remarks during the day’s proceedings. If an election to a Senate seat is undecided or subject to consideration by the Senate, the majority leader and other Senators might address the Senate’s posture on that election.