Rule II of the Standing Rules of the United States Senate, established by the United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, governs presentation of credentials and questions of privilege.
Contents
Credentials
Paragraph 1 by the Committee on Rules and Administration, addresses the credentials of a Senator-elect or Senator-designate. This also states that any questions of privilege be in order. The exception is during the reading and correction of the Senate Journal, while a question of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, or while the Senate is voting or ascertaining the presence of a quorum; and all questions and motions arising or made upon the presentation of such credentials shall be proceeded with until disposed of.
Recording certifications
Paragraph 2 states that the Secretary of the Senate shall keep a record of the certificates of election and certificates of appointment of Senators. This is to be done by "entering in a wellbound book and kept for that purpose the date of the election or appointment, the name of the person elected or appointed, the date of the certificate, the name of the governor and the secretary of state signing and countersigning the same, and the State from which such Senator is elected or appointed."
Notification of appointment
Paragraph 3 states the Secretary of the Senate shall send copies of the following recommended forms to the governor and secretary of state of each state wherein an election is about to take place or an appointment is to be made so that they may use such forms if they see fit.