---
kind: "section"
citation: "3 U.S.C. § 18"
title: "3"
title_heading: "The President"
number: "18"
heading: "Same; parliamentary procedure at joint session"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/3/18"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Presidential Elections and Vacancies"
---

# §18. Same; parliamentary procedure at joint session


While the two Houses shall be in session as provided in this chapter, the President of the Senate shall have power to preserve order; and no debate shall be allowed and no question shall be put by the presiding officer except to either House on a motion to withdraw under [section 15(d)(2)(C)(i)](/usc/3/15.md?p=d-2-C-i).


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 644, 62 Stat. 676; Sept. 3, 1954, ch. 1263, § 3, 68 Stat. 1227; Pub. L. 117–328, div. P, title I, § 110(b), (c)(2), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5240.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–328, § 110(c)(2), substituted “session” for “meeting” in section catchline and text.

Pub. L. 117–328, § 110(b), inserted “under section 15(d)(2)(C)(i)” after “motion to withdraw”.

1954—Act Sept. 3, 1954, substituted “chapter” for “subchapter”.