Closed Session - How long do they last?

[seshers]

Is this just a one day thing?

Are they still at it?

When will the public hear the content?

So many questions...

[shraby]

1. Until the Dems get answers they will call a

closed session every day. That's what they said.

[Spazito]

2. You don't hear about what is happening in the closed session

that's why it is closed. The intent is to force the republicans into investigating how intelligence was misused and abused by the bush administration in order to invade and occupy Iraq. The democrats will use this rule every day until the republicans re-start the 2nd half of the intelligence investigation as promised.

[bkcc]

3. another question

what is the benefit of having a closed session? does that really do anything?

can someone please explain?

[tx_dem41]

5. Its closed because they may talk about classified information.

Its good (for the Democrats) because it obviously gets more coverage (not the actual session..but the issue).

It can end at any time by a vote of a simple majority.

[BrotherBuzz]

10. It shuts down everything until it's resolved...

Under Rule 21 of the Senate Standing Rules

The Senate conducts its business under a set of Standing Rules and in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, as well as various other rules that may from time to time be agreed upon by the Senate.

Under Standing Rule 21, any Senator may move that the Senate move into a closed door session. If the motion is seconded, the galleries are cleared of spectators, Senators are required to get to the Senate chamber, and everyone who doesn't have security clearance has to vacate the Senate chamber.

Usually, going into a closed session of the full Senate means they're discussing classified matters requiring security clearance. It's an unusual procedure because these matters are routinely handled by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The reason, of course, is that during a closed session, no other public business can be transacted or considered. It's an enormous inconvenience, and all of the Senate's business halts immediately.

The first thing to be decided during a closed session of the Senate is whether or not to proceed. That requires discussion of the subject matter for which the motion was made, and a majority vote to continue. If the majority votes to conclude the closed session, then the doors are opened back up, and business continues as before.

If the majority votes to stay in closed session, then they stay there until they resolve whatever classified matter is before the body, or until a motion is made, seconded and carried to end the closed session.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5231860&mesg_id=5231972

[bkcc]

16. thanks. n/t

[CornField]

13. All public bodies are allowed to hold closed sessions

Some groups refer to them as "executive sessions"

They are times when officials can really get at the meat of the matter before them, without the public and/or the press looking in. Locally, they are used for matters of litigation (current or perceived), land/property acquisition and other sensitive matters. For instance, if a city government was considering purchase of a property for upgrading public facilities, the city would not want their intentions made public because the owner could then decide to raise the price of the property.

On a federal level, closed sessions are most often used to discuss items which should not be made immediately public -- typically items which deal with issues of national security. In closed session, government bodies can openly discuss items which are typically limited to people with high security clearance.

[Walt Starr]

4. They last until they are closed

It could close in moments, hours, days, weeks, months, or years.

Under rule 21, there is no time limit. Disposition of the closed session is handled within the closed session under the rules of the Senate.

[goclark]

6. Send in Blankets and Pillows

Let them stay all day and all night!
Today, they finally acted like Democrats.

No guts, no glory!

Let's MARCH against these bullies.

I love seeing them play cry baby.

[Walt Starr]

7. They can recess

All standing rules of the Senate still stand. They remain closed until the closed session adjourns and an open session ensues.

[matcom]

8. IT ENDS WITH SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE

about to end now per CNN

[zanne]

9. So the Republicans can end it any time they want? nt

[matcom]

11. yup. Dems say they will do this EVERY DAY UNTIL THEY GET ANSWERS

:bounce:

[BrotherBuzz]

14. Some republican senators are facing midterm elections..

;)

[CornField]

15. Yes, but only if they have a majority

The Dems are saying this will be a daily occurance. The ball is now in the GOP court to ensure they always have a majority on the floor of the Senate -- if not, the Democratic Senators can call the shots in the closed session.

[Tiggeroshii]

17. Good point.

It's nice to know that it at least forces the Senate to come to work every day! =)

[tallahasseedem]

12. The "MSM" says it will end soon...

with a majority vote.