This was a 'Call by States,' a procedural step taken at the beginning of a new Congress. It serves to officially record which members have arrived in Washington and to establish a quorum, which is the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business. In this type of vote, members do not vote 'yes' or 'no' on a piece of legislation. Instead, they record their presence. The House of Representatives requires a majority of its members to be present to officially begin its session and hold subsequent votes, such as the election of the Speaker of the House. The call was successful, as 437 members were recorded as present. This allowed the House to proceed with its constitutional duties, including swearing in members and organizing the chamber for the new term. While two members were absent, the vast majority of both parties were in attendance.