Measures for securing observance of the Federal constitution; for carrying out the guarantee of the Cantonal constitutions, and for the fulfilment of federal obligations. The power of controlling the federal army. The determination of the yearly budget, the audit of public accounts, and federal ordinances authorizing loans. General supervision of the federal administration and of federal courts; appeals from the decisions of the Federal Council upon administrative conflicts of jurisdiction between federal authorities. Revision of the Federal constitution. 3. Both Councils shall assemble once each year in regular session, on a day to be fixed by the standing orders.[35] They may be convened in extra session by the Federal Council, or on demand of one-fourth of the members of the National Council, or of five Cantons. 4. In either Council a quorum is a majority of the total number of its members. 5. In the National Council and in the Council of States, a majority of those voting shall decide the question. 6. For federal laws, decrees, and resolutions, the consent of both Councils is necessary. Federal laws shall be submitted for acceptance or rejection by the people upon the demand of thirty thousand qualified voters, or of eight Cantons. The same principle applies to federal resolutions, which have a general application, and which are not of an urgent nature. 7. The Confederation shall by law establish the forms and times of popular voting. 8. Members of either Council vote without instructions. 9. The Councils deliberate separately. But in the case of the elections (specified in Section 2), of pardons, or of deciding a conflict of jurisdiction, the two Councils meet in joint session, under the direction of the President of the National Council. Votes shall be decided by simple majority of the members of both Councils, present and voting. 10. Measures may originate in either Council, and may be introduced by any member of each Council. 11. The sittings of both Councils shall, as a rule, be public.