Order Code 98-470 GOV
Updated April 4, 2007
Senate Manual: A Guide to Its Contents
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
The Senate Manual is one of the Senate’s official reference volumes; it contains the
standing rules, standing orders, resolutions, laws, and procedures affecting the Senate’s
business. Also included in the Manual are the Constitution of the United States as well
as several other historic documents and selected historical data. For more information on
congressional processes, see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].
The topics covered by the Manual are organized into numbered sections. The
indexes cite section numbers rather than page numbers. The Manual is prepared by the
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. It is usually published each Congress
as Senate document number one. The most recent edition is S.Doc. 107-1.
A topical guide to the Manual’s contents follows.
Standing Rules of the Senate. Contains the text of the Senate’s 43 standing rules,
together with footnotes indicating changes since 1979. A list of the standing rules
precedes the text, and an index to the rules follows the text.
Standing Orders. Furnishes the text of nonstatutory standing orders affecting
Senate business that have been adopted over the years, in the form of resolutions or by
unanimous consent, that are currently in effect. Subject headings and citations to the
source of the orders are provided.
Senate Wing of the Capitol and Senate Office Buildings. Provides the rules
regulating the Senate wing of the Capitol and Senate office buildings that have been
adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration (Senate Rule XXXIII). These
rules regulate the use of the Senate side of the Capitol, including the Senate chamber,
restaurants, press galleries and other galleries, as well as the Senate office buildings.
Impeachment Trials. Specifies the rules of procedure for the Senate to try an
impeachment presented by the House. The rules cover such issues as how evidence is
gathered by the Senate, summoning and rights of the respondent (the person being tried),
the role of the Senate’s presiding officer, and examination of witnesses.
Conferences and Conference Reports. Contains a compilation of rules and
precedents relative to conference committees, including requests for a conference;

---

CRS-2
appointment, instruction, and authority of conferees; preparation and Senate consideration
of conference reports; and form of the accompanying joint explanatory statement. An
index is included.
General and Permanent Laws. Presents excerpts from the U.S. Code containing
laws relating to the Senate. These provisions cover a broad range of subjects including
election of Senators; organization of Congress; compensation of Members, officers, and
employees of the Senate; congressional budget process and fiscal operations; Capitol
building and grounds; and printing and documents. The excerpts are organized by Code
title, chapter, and section. A table of contents is included.
Historical Documents. Reprints four historical documents: (1) the Declaration of
Independence; (2) the Articles of Confederation; (3) the Ordinance of 1787 (for the
governance of the territory northwest of the Ohio River); and (4) the Constitution of the
United States, including the dates of ratification by the states, the text of amendments, and
an index.
Statistical Information. Furnishes several tables or lists, primarily historical:
(1) names and election dates of the presidents pro tempore of the Senate;
(2) names and service dates of Senators, by state and election class, with an index;
(3) electoral votes cast in each presidential election;
(4) names and service dates of Supreme Court justices;
(5) names and service dates of Cabinet officers, by executive department;
(6) data on the first 13 states to ratify the Constitution, states subsequently admitted
into the Union, the District of Columbia, and insular possessions; and
(7) the apportionment of Representatives among the states.
General Index. The Manual includes an extensive subject list with references to the
sections pertaining to each subject.
The text of the most recent Manual is searchable online, available at
[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/smanual/browse.html].
crsphpgw

---