Order Code 98-835 GOV
Updated March 22, 2002
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
House Sergeant at Arms: Fact Sheet on
Legislative and Administrative Duties
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
The Sergeant at Arms is an officer of the House with law enforcement, protocol, and
administrative responsibilities (House Rule II). The Sergeant at Arms is elected at the
beginning of each Congress by the membership of the chamber. The duties of the Sergeant
at Arms are mandated in law, House rules, custom, and policies determined by the House
Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on House Administration in the exercise
of their oversight roles. This report will be updated as events warrant.
Protection, Security, and Decorum Responsibilities
As the chief law enforcement officer of the House, the Sergeant at Arms is
responsible for security in the House wing of the Capitol, the House office buildings, and
on adjacent grounds. Under the direction of the Speaker of the House or other presiding
officer, the Sergeant at Arms plays an integral role in maintaining order and decorum in
the House chamber. The Sergeant at Arms is authorized to hold up the mace, the symbol
of the Sergeant at Arms’ authority, before unruly Members, and to carry the mace down
the aisles of the House chamber to subdue disorderly conduct. The Sergeant at Arms may
be directed to compel absent Members to attend House sessions in order to achieve the
necessary quorum by escorting them to the chamber (House Rule XX). Both practices
have been rare, particularly in this century. The Sergeant at Arms or his assistant attends
all floor sessions.
The Sergeant at Arms is also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of
Members of Congress, congressional staff, visiting national and foreign dignitaries, and
tourists. Toward this mission, the Sergeant at Arms works in concert with the Senate
Sergeant at Arms, and the Architect of the Capitol. These three officials comprise the
Capitol Police Board.
Protocol Responsibilities
Through custom and precedent, the Sergeant at Arms performs a number of protocol
and ceremonial duties. Among these duties are to lead formal processions at ceremonial
events such as presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, and formal addresses
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to the Congress; to greet and escort visiting foreign dignitaries; and to supervise
congressional funeral arrangements.
Administrative Responsibilities
The Sergeant at Arms performs a number of administrative services in support of the
Members, staff, and visitors associated with the security and other operations of the
House. In addition to serving on the Capitol Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms serves
with the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol on the Capitol Guide
Board. This Board oversees the Capitol Guide Service, which provides tours of the
Capitol to visitors and special services to tourists. In addition, the Sergeant at Arms
serves with the Clerk of the House on the House Page Board, which sets policies for the
page program.
House rules require the Sergeant at Arms to report semi–annually to the Committee
on House Administration the financial and operational status of each function under his
jurisdiction (House Rule II). The reports provide financial statements, describe current
operations, and present new and future plans. To carry out the functions of the Office of
the Sergeant at Arms in FY2002, Congress appropriated $4,139,000 for the office (P.L.
107-68). The Office of the Sergeant at Arms comprises six divisions, which are described
in the following table.
Division
Functions/Responsibilities
Administration
Administers the activities of all divisions under the Office of
the Sergeant at Arms.
Chamber Security
Assists in maintaining order and decorum in the House
chamber; oversees access to the House floor and galleries.
Special Events/Protocol
Provides organizational and logistical support for all major
events in the Capitol and House office buildings, and off-site
events such as the activities of congressional delegations;
coordinates House events related to the visits of foreign
dignitaries.
Police Services
Coordinates, as one of the three members of the Capitol
Police Board, the security efforts affecting the Capitol and
House office buildings, investigates threats/crimes, and
provides protective details.
Identification Services
Issues identification badges for all congressional staff.
House Garages and
Oversees the security of House garages and outside parking
Parking Security
areas.
The Web site of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms is [http://sgtatarms.house.gov] (House
access only).

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