One Minute Speeches
In your internship, you may be asked to draft a “One-Minute Speech.” This is a very specific part of Congressional tradition and legislative business, and a great opportunity for you to practice your writing for a big stage. Read on for all the details!
What is a one-minute speech?
A short one-minute speech made by Members of Congress each business day in session
A period of one-minute speeches is granted at the discretion of the House (Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader) and in the Senate (Majority Leader and Minority Leader). The number of speeches is kept even between parties.
One-minute speeches are mostly held at the beginning of the day or before legislation is considered or debated
One-minute speeches rarely held at the end of the day, but exceptions may be made if time is short and the business of the Chamber is especially very important
Usually no more than 300 words (i.e. ‘one minute!’)
On a subject of the member’s choice, but often coordinated by leadership for “theme weeks”
Participating members following the “theme week ” often get priority recognition
House and Senate leadership can pick themes for the week
Themes can vary from major issues like climate change to more local issues (sports championships)
**TIP**
If your office participates in one-minute speeches, you can ask your supervisor for the upcoming topics to get ahead on drafting!
How one-minute speeches work:
Members interested in making speeches sit in the front seats on their respected party side
The speaker will recognize the Members, beginning with a member of the majority party and then alternating between the parties
Members following the theme receive priority in speaking order
The speaking Member stands for recognition and then addresses the chair:
The member: “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.”
The speaker: “Without objection, so ordered.”
The chair signals to the speaking Member when time is done
What to avoid in a one-minute speech:
Members cannot refer to the TV audience or other Members, but only refer to the Chair
Members cannot introduce or otherwise make reference to people in the visitors or press gallery
Members can refer to actions taken by the chamber which are a matter of public record, but it is improper to characterize action or inaction and make reference to individual members of the senate
Similarly, it is inappropriate to address the president directly (let alone in an offensive manner)
**TIP**
Use Congress.gov or Congress.gov Daily Digest to search by day/ topic/ member to look at previous examples
Important to note:
Members do not actually have to deliver a 1-minute speech! A Member can simply ask for the speech to be placed in the Congressional Record and yield back his or her time.
The speech will be inserted at that point, but it will indicate that it was not delivered in person
If the speech is over one minute in time:
The rest of the speech is inserted to the Congressional Record prior to Special Orders
The Chair will allow for rest of current sentence to be said, but no more
How to write a One-Minute speech:
The Template
1/2 to 3/4 of a page; 3 paragraphs
Intro -Set the stage (2-3 sentences)
Acknowledge the chair
Action: Congratulating, acknowledging, thanking, recognizing, honor, etc.
One sentence quickly explaining the organization or the award
Background- More detailed about the org or recognition
Who- info about the organization, program, city, tea, individual person, etc.
What- What happened or will happen
When- When will it happen or did it happen; is it historic or a first?
Why- Why is it important?
Conclusion- Call to action
Ask colleagues to join and restate the intro (congratulating, acknowledging, thanking, recognize, honor, etc.)
Thank the Chair
Yield remaining time if speaking in person
See it in action:
One-Minute Speeches Oral Examples- November 4, 2021 U.S House of Representatives
The given link is a visual aid from C-span showing the House meeting for regular legislative business, but beginning with time for one-minute speeches. The video shows the proper procedures in regards to one-minute speeches. As seen in the video the speaker announces 15 minutes would be put aside for one-minute speeches before proceeding to legislative business.
One-Minute Speech Transcript- “Honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Twenty Pearls of Wisdom”
The given transcript of Mississippi Representative Bennie G. Thompson, “Honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Twenty Pearls of Wisdom”, is a perfect example of what a one minute speech would look like in the Congressional Record. The basic structure of a one-minute speech is also clear throughout the transcript showing the members' initial recognition, a brief background, and then call to action for members to join in recognizing the Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Twenty Pearls of Wisdom as an official interest group.
The following article is a fun example of how time given to members on the floor can be light hearted and still important to the legislative process. The Alaskan of the week shows how personal one-minute speech time can be.
Do you have any suggestions or experiences to share? Reach out at info@popvox.org
