The Constitution states that each new Congress must convene, or assemble, for the first time at noon on January 3, unless it has passed a law designating a different opening day.

	Three recent Congresses convened for the first time on a date other than January 3. The 104th Congress convened for the first time on January 4, 1995. The 105th Congress convened for the first time on January 7, 1997. The 109th Congress convened for the first time on January 4, 2005.

Because no officers have been elected when the House first convenes, the terms of the Clerk, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Sergeant at Arms, and the Chaplain continue into the next Congress until the House elects those officers on opening day. For example, the Clerk of the House calls the House to order and presides over the chamber until the Speaker is sworn in. If the Clerk is absent, the Sergeant at Arms performs this duty.

What happens when the House has convened?

The Chaplain from the previous Congress offers a prayer.

The Members-elect and their guests recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Clerk announces the receipt of the credentials of the 435 Members.

The Clerk directs a reading clerk to call the roll of all Members-elect to be sure there is a quorum. (Article I of the Constitution states that no business can be conducted by the House unless a quorum is present.) Currently, the roll is not actually called by a clerk. Instead, the Members use their official voting cards in the chamber's electronic voting machines to register their attendance.

The Clerk announces the receipt of the credentials of the Resident Commissioner, from Puerto Rico (when applicable); and of the Delegates (one each) from the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa; and any deaths or resignations of Members since the general election.