I heard Senator Byrd admonish the other Senators on the floor that they should vote while seated at their desks instead of going up to the clerks at the rostrum to vote. I've never seen them vote seated. Is that really a requirement? Alexandria, Virginia - 7/21/00

Senators sit at their desks during the vote on NATO expansion. Click on picture for larger image

Yes, it is actually a requirement for ALL votes held in the Senate! However, the Senate rarely enforces this regulation, except for votes of high significance when formality seems appropriate to mark the occasion. Most recently, Senators voted from their desks during President Clinton's impeachment trial in January, 1999. Senators also elected to vote from their desks on April 30, 1998 for the vote ratifying the NATO Expansion Treaty; on March 5, 1997, when they defeated the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, and on October 15, 1991 when they voted to confirm the nomination of Justice Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

The written requirement is not part of the Senate's rules, but a regulation -- part of the Standing Orders of the Senate. It was first instituted in 1984. For years prior, then Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) promoted the idea to the Senate, but to no avail. Senator Randolph served in the Senate from 1958-1984, and often spoke to the Senate about the need for that body to present a more dignified image. As a nostalgic tribute to his retirement, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 480 on October 11, 1984, and made it a standing order. It read:

Resolved, that it is a standing order of the Senate that during yea and nay votes in the Senate, each Senator shall vote from the assigned desk of the Senator.

Any Senator has the right to call upon the presiding officer to enforce this regulation as part of the regular order of procedure whenever the Senate votes. Senators rarely choose to do so. Senator Robert Byrd [D-WV] has on occasion done so, perhaps in tribute to his former Senate colleague, Senator Randolph, and perhaps because he has the seniority to remember when the Senate was a more formal body.

For related information on Senators' desk assignments, and to see a photo of one, visit the Capitol Question on floor seating arrangements.