The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day
Notice the curious start of the Congressional Session, the first Monday in December. Evidently, the Christmas Holidays were not too important to them. In the 1700’s the modes of transport were so slow that a return to home for many Congressman could not have been practical. It wasn’t changed until the passing of the 20th Amendment in 1932. I have to admit, I did not know this.
It’s also worth noting in the first paragraph the boundaries drawn around the Senators. Remember, the State Legislators chose the Senators in the beginning. So Congress was forced to honor the Rights of States in this manner. Too bad the States have no rights today. Would change a lot of the dynamics in politics.
jtobrien posted this