Legal Definitions - pro forma session

A pro forma session is a type of legislative session that is held not to conduct business but only to fulfill a constitutional requirement that neither house may adjourn for longer than a certain time without the other house's consent. This means that no actual work is done during a pro forma session, and it is merely a formality to meet the requirement.

For example, the United States Senate may hold a pro forma session during a holiday break to prevent the President from making any recess appointments without their approval.

The purpose of a pro forma session is to maintain the continuity of the legislative session without actually conducting any business. It is a way to prevent the session from officially ending and having to start over again.