by 
The Curious Bag
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A pro forma session of Congress is a protocol used by both the House of Representatives and the Senate to satisfy obligations regarding the number of meetings each house must hold before going into recess.
Background
The two houses of Congress are directed by the Constitution to create the laws that will govern the land, and both must be in session to pass new legislation.
Congressional Sessions
Each session of Congress runs from a pre-set date in January until sometime in December, although the dates have changed each year since the inception of Congress.
Congressional Rules
If either the House or the Senate does not meet for more than three days, it must get permission from the other house; a pro forma session precludes this request.
What Happens
A pro forma session can be very short, often less than a minute in length. The clerk announces who is presiding over the session, and the presiding officer ends the session.
Non-Congressional Appointments
Another reason for pro forma sessions is to block presidential appointments. The president can make appointments without confirmation, and the terms last until the next session of Congress begins.
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