# Plain Language Summary: George Washington's Farewell Address Reading

This resolution creates a new tradition for Congress: at the start of each new Congress (which happens every two years after elections), George Washington's "Farewell Address" will be read aloud in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. A senator chosen by the Senate's majority leader will read it in the Senate, while a representative chosen by the Speaker of the House will read it in the House chamber.

For most people, this won't have any direct impact on their daily lives. It's essentially a ceremonial gesture—a symbolic way for Congress to begin each new session by hearing one of America's founding documents. Washington's Farewell Address, written in 1796, contains his advice to the nation about unity, avoiding political divisions, and steering clear of foreign entanglements. By making this reading a formal rule, Congress is saying this document represents values they want to emphasize at the start of their work together.

The resolution is technically a rule change for how Congress operates, but it doesn't create any new laws, spending, or regulations that would affect citizens. It's purely procedural—essentially Congress deciding to add a reading to their opening day agenda. Either chamber can change this rule in the future if they choose to, just like any other congressional procedure. Think of it as similar to how some organizations open meetings with a pledge or statement of values—it's meant to set a tone rather than accomplish any specific legislative goal.