Closed sessions of the United States Senate (original) (raw)

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. 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.