Executive session

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title: "Executive session" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["united-states-senate"] description: "Closed part of an otherwise open meeting" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_session" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Closed part of an otherwise open meeting ::

An executive session is any block within an otherwise open meeting (often of a board of directors or other deliberative assembly) in which minutes are taken separately or not at all, outsiders are not present, and the contents of the discussion are treated as confidential (see in camera). In a deliberative assembly, an executive session has come to mean that the proceedings are secret and members could be punished for violating the secrecy.

Depending on the organization or governmental body involved, business that is conducted in executive session could include legal issues, discussion on contracts (such as to purchase land, or offer tax incentives to a corporation moving to an area), and personnel issues (such as hiring and firing).

Use in the United States Senate

An executive session is a portion of the United States Senate's daily session in which it considers nominations and treaties, or other items introduced by the President of the United States. These items are termed executive business; therefore, the session is an executive session. It can either be closed door or open door. Historically, as a courtesy to the President, such sessions were always held behind closed doors, but this custom has been abandoned in modern times. The term "executive session" is still employed to refer to closed-door committee meetings, whether or not they are considering executive business.

An executive session may also be used in other legislatures.

References

References

1. Robert, Henry M.. (2020). "Robert's rules of order newly revised".
2. "Executive Session Defined".
3. "The Who, When, and Why of Board Executive Sessions".
4. (2 August 2008). "Should the Board Hold Executive Sessions? {{!}} Blue Avocado".
5. "United States Senate Manual, 106th Congress-Rule XXXI:EXECUTIVE SESSION--PROCEEDINGS ON NOMINATIONS".
6. "executive session glossary term".
7. "General Laws: CHAPTER 30A, Section 21". The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
8. "Rules of the Senate - Senate of the Philippines (RULE XLVII - EXECUTIVE SESSION)". Senate of the Philippines.
9. Carter, J. Burgess. (November 12, 2014). "Liberia: Senate Rushes Into Executive Session". Liberian Observer.

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