Legislative Branch Agency Appointments:
History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Ida A. Brudnick
Specialist on the Congress
October 19, 2015
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R42072
Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Summary
The leaders of the legislative branch agencies and entities—the Government Accountability
Office (GAO), the Library of Congress (LOC), the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the
Government Publishing Office (GPO, formerly Government Printing Office), the Office of the
Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO), and the Office of Compliance—are appointed in a variety of manners.
Four agencies are led by a person appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the
Senate; two are appointed by Congress; one is appointed by the Librarian of Congress; one is
appointed by a board of directors.
Congress has periodically examined the procedures used to appoint these officers with the aim of
protecting the prerogatives of, and ensuring accountability to, Congress within the framework of
the advice and consent appointment process established in Article II, Section 2 of the
Constitution.
This report contains information on the legislative branch agency heads’ appointment processes,
length of tenures (if terms are set), reappointment or removal provisions (if any), salaries and
benefits, and most recent appointments.
Congressional Research Service
Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History,
Processes, and Recent Actions
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Overview by Legislative Branch Agency or Entity ......................................................................... 1
Architect of the Capitol ............................................................................................................. 2
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 3
Government Accountability Office ........................................................................................... 3
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 4
Government Publishing Office .................................................................................................. 4
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 4
Library of Congress ................................................................................................................... 5
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 5
Congressional Research Service ............................................................................................... 5
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 6
U.S. Capitol Police .................................................................................................................... 6
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 6
Congressional Budget Office .................................................................................................... 6
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 7
Office of Compliance ................................................................................................................ 7
Most Recent Appointment .................................................................................................. 8
Tables
Table 1. Legislative Branch Agency and Entity Executives: Summary of Appointment
Process, Tenure, and Salaries ....................................................................................................... 8
Contacts
Author Contact Information ............................................................................................................ 9
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link to page 11 Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Introduction
The leaders of the eight legislative branch agencies and entities—the Government Accountability
Office, the Library of Congress, the Government Publishing Office (formerly Government
Printing Office), the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Police, the
Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Office of
Compliance—are appointed in a variety of manners.
The first four agencies are led by a person appointed by the President, with the advice and
consent of the Senate. The next two are appointed by Congress, the next by the Librarian of
Congress, and the last by a board of directors.
Congress has periodically examined the procedures used to appoint legislative branch officers
with the aim of protecting the prerogatives of, and ensuring accountability to, Congress within the
framework of the advice and consent appointment process established in Article II, Section 2 of
the Constitution.1 Legislation to alter the appointment process for legislative branch agencies and
entities has periodically been introduced for many years.2 Questions remain about various reform
proposals, including the ability of Congress to remove the President from the appointment
process. These may depend upon the implication or interpretation of the Appointments Clause of
the Constitution, the definition of an “officer of the United States,”3 and whether or not a change
in appointing authority would require any revision in the powers and duties of legislative branch
agency leaders. Some previous reforms and proposals have also attempted to find a role for the
House of Representatives, which does not play a formal role in the confirmation of presidential
nominees, in the search for legislative branch officials.
Overview by Legislative Branch Agency or Entity
The following sections contain information on the legislative branch agency heads’ appointment
processes, length of tenures (if terms are set), reappointment or removal provisions (if any),
salaries and benefits, and most recent appointments.4 Information is provided on each agency and
summarized in Table 1.
1 This section states: The President “shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall
appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the
United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but
the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone,
in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.” For additional information on presidential appointments, see
CRS Report R41776, Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Independent and Other Agencies During the
110th Congress, by Maeve P. Carey and Henry B. Hogue.
2 For example, see H.R. 8616, S. 2206, and S. 2205 (94th Cong.); S. 1278 and H.R. 63 (93rd Cong.); and H.R. 17102
(92nd Cong.). In more recent Congresses, the Legislative Branch Officer Appointment Act of 2005 (H.R. 4446, 109th
Cong.) and the Architect of the Capitol Appointment Act of 2008 (H.R. 6656, 110th Cong.) were introduced and
referred to committees, although no further action was taken. In the 111th Congress, two measures (H.R. 2185 and H.R.
2843) were introduced to remove the President from the Architect appointment process and shift it to the congressional
leaders and chairs and ranking Members of specific congressional committees. H.R. 2843, the Architect of the Capitol
Appointment Act of 2010, passed the House on February 3, 2010, but received no further consideration.
3 For a discussion of how “officer” has been defined, see pages 44-48 in CRS Report R40856, The Debate Over
Selected Presidential Assistants and Advisors: Appointment, Accountability, and Congressional Oversight, by Barbara
L. Schwemle et al.
4 In the case of agency heads who have served or are serving in an acting capacity, the predecessor is also noted.
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Architect of the Capitol
Pursuant to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1990,5 the Architect is “appointed by the
President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of 10 years.”6 The act also
established a congressional commission responsible for recommending individuals to the
President for the position of Architect of the Capitol. The commission, originally consisting of the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the majority
and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the chairs and the
ranking minority Members of the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee
on Rules and Administration, was expanded in 1995 to include the chairs and ranking minority
Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.7
Prior to 1989, the Architect was selected by the President for an unlimited term without any
formal involvement of Congress. The FY1990 act, however, followed numerous attempts dating
at least to the 1950s to alter the appointment procedure to provide a role for Congress. The
proposals included requiring the advice and consent of the Senate,8 establishing a commission to
recommend names to the President, and removing the appointment process from the President
and instead making the Architect appointed solely by Congress.
In the 111th Congress, two measures (H.R. 2185 and H.R. 2843) were introduced to remove the
President from the Architect appointment process and shift it to congressional leaders and chairs
and ranking Members of specific congressional committees. Under both measures, the Architect
would still serve a 10-year term. Under H.R. 2843, as reported, the Architect would have been
appointed jointly by the same 14-member panel, equally divided between the House and Senate,
that currently is responsible for recommending candidates to the President. This bill was reported
by the Committee on House Administration (H.Rept. 111-372) on December 10, 2009. It was
discharged by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. The House
agreed to the bill, as amended to include an 18-member panel,9 also equally divided between the
House and Senate, by voice vote on February 3, 2010. H.R. 2843 was received in the Senate and
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, although no further action was taken.
Under the earlier bill (H.R. 2185, 111th Congress), which was introduced on April 30, 2009, the
Architect would have been appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House, the Senate majority
leader, the minority leaders in the House and Senate, the chairs and ranking minority Members of
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and the chairs and ranking minority
Members of the Committee on House Administration and Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration. This bill followed similar legislation (H.R. 6656, 110th Congress), with the same
12-member appointing panel, introduced on July 30, 2008. Both bills were referred to two
committees, but no further action was taken.10
5 P.L. 101-163, November 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 1068, 2 U.S.C. 1801.
6 2 U.S.C. 1801(a)(1).
7 P.L. 104-19, July 27, 1995, 109 Stat. 220.
8 For example, S. 2760 (96th Cong., S. Rept. 96-818) passed the Senate on November 24, 1980, but received no further
action.
9 The bill, as amended, would include the following in addition to the original 14-member panel: the chair and ranking
minority Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, a Member of
the Senate to be designated by the majority leader of the Senate, and a Member of the Senate to be designated by the
minority leader of the Senate.
10 For additional information, see “Table 2. Proposals to Alter the Appointment of the Architect: 1959-Present” in CRS
Report R41074, Architect of the Capitol: Appointment Process and Current Legislation, by Ida A. Brudnick.
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Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
The Architect of the Capitol is compensated at an “annual rate which is equal to the lesser of the
annual salary for the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives or the annual salary for
the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.”11
Most Recent Appointment
The former Architect of the Capitol, Alan Hantman, who was the first Architect nominated under
the new commission procedure, was nominated to a 10-year term by President Clinton on January
6, 1997, and confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent on January 30, 1997. Following Mr.
Hantman’s retirement on February 4, 2007, Deputy Architect/Chief Operating Officer Stephen T.
Ayers served as Acting Architect of the Capitol.12 On February 24, 2010, Mr. Ayers was
nominated by the President for a 10-year term. The nomination was referred to the Senate
Committee on Rules and Administration. The committee held a hearing on April 15, 2010, and
Mr. Ayers was confirmed by unanimous consent in the Senate on May 12, 2010.
Government Accountability Office
Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 703(a)(1), the Comptroller General shall be “appointed by the President, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” This procedure dates to the establishment of the
agency in 1921.13 Additionally, a commission procedure established in 1980 recommends
individuals to the President in the event of a vacancy.14 The commission consists of the Speaker
of the House, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the majority and minority leaders of the
House and Senate, the chairs and ranking minority Members of the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform. The commission is to recommend at least three individuals for this position
to the President, although the President may request additional names.
The Comptroller General is appointed to a 15-year term and may not be reappointed.15
The salary of the Comptroller General is equal to Level II of Executive Schedule.16 Additionally,
a law enacted in 1953 established a separate retirement system for the Comptroller General.17
11 The position was previously linked to Level III of the Executive Schedule. The current language was included in the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 (P.L. 107-68, Section 129, November 12, 2001, 115 Stat 579-580, 2
U.S.C. 1802 note).
12 Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 1804, the Deputy Architect of the Capitol acts as the Architect of the Capitol during a vacancy
in that position.
13 Ch. 18, Section 302, June 10, 1921, 42 Stat. 23. For additional information on discussion prior to enactment, see
Congressional Record, June 4, 1920 pp. 8609-8613; Congressional Record, May 3, 1921, pp. 982-984; Congressional
Record, May 5, 1921, p. 1079; Congressional Record, May 27, 1921, pp. 1855-1859. For more recent discussion, see
H.R. 4296 and Congressional Record, October 21, 1998, p. S12980.
14 P.L. 96-226, 94 Stat. 314-315, April 3, 1980; 31 U.S.C. 703(a)(2).
15 31 U.S.C. 703(b).
16 P.L. 97-258, September 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 889, 31 U.S.C. 703(f)(1).
17 This “annuity for life [is] equal to the pay the Comptroller General is receiving on completion of the term or at the
time of retirement,” subject to increases (67 Stat. 229, 31 U.S.C. 772 et seq.). The benefits are further described in CRS
Report RL30349, GAO: Government Accountability Office and General Accounting Office, by Frederick M. Kaiser.
For additional discussion, see U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Government Operations, Comptroller General,
Retirement, S.Rept. 594, 83rd Cong., 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 1953), p. 1; U.S. Congress, House Committee on
Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations, 2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess.,
H.Rept. 110-198 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 31; and, Response by Gene L. Dodaro, U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2009,
(continued...)
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Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Most Recent Appointment
Gene L. Dodaro, then-Chief Operating Officer at GAO, became the acting Comptroller General
on March 13, 2008, upon the resignation of David M. Walker,18 who had previously been
confirmed on October 21, 1998. The White House announced Mr. Dodaro’s nomination to a 15-
year term as Comptroller General on September 22, 2010. The Senate Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on the nomination on November 18, 2010, and
Mr. Dodaro was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent on December 22, 2010.
Government Publishing Office
The Government Publishing Office (formerly Government Printing Office) was established in
1861. The U.S. Code, at 44 U.S.C. 301, states that the President “shall nominate and, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint a suitable person to take charge of and manage the
Government Publishing Office. The title shall be Director of the Government Publishing Office.”
The current appointment language—which deleted references to gender and bookbinding as well
as changing the title of the agency and its director—was enacted in 2014,19 although the use of
the advice and consent procedure for this position can be traced back much further.20 There is no
set term of office for the Director. The Director’s pay is equivalent to Level II of the Executive
Schedule.21
Most Recent Appointment
On May 9, 2013, President Obama nominated Davita Vance-Cooks to be Public Printer, as the
head of the GPO was then known. The nomination was referred to the Senate Committee on
Rules and Administration, which held a hearing on June 12, 2013. The nomination was favorably
reported by the committee on July 24, and Ms. Vance-Cooks was confirmed by the Senate by
voice vote on August 1, 2013.
Previously, Ms. Vance-Cooks was serving as the Deputy Public Printer when she was announced
as the Acting Public Printer on January 3, 2012.22 This announcement followed the Senate’s
return of the nomination of Public Printer William J. Boarman to the President at the end of the
first session of the 112th Congress pursuant to Senate Rule XXXI. Mr. Boarman was first
(...continued)
hearings, part 2, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., April 10, 2008 (Washington: GPO, 2008), pp. 705-706.
18 Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 703, “The Comptroller General shall designate an officer or employee of the Government
Accountability Office to act as Comptroller General when the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General
are absent or unable to serve or when the offices of Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are vacant.”
19 P.L. 113-235, div. H, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537, 2538.
20 See, for example: P.L. 90-620, October 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1239; and previously, nomination of John D. Defrees to be
Superintendent of Public Printing, Senate Executive Journal, March 16, 1861, p. 307, and March 20, 1861, p. 319;
designation as congressional printer in ch. 61,14 Stat. 399, February 22, 1867 and debate in Cong. Globe, 39th Cong.,
2nd sess., vol. 37, pt. 2, February 18, 1867, pp. 499-500; return to prior process in ch. 246, 19 Stat. 105, July 31, 1876;
and ch. 23, 28 Stat. 603, January 12, 1895.
21 This rate was established with the FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-83, September 30, 2003,
117 Stat. 1033, 44 U.S.C. 303). Pay for the Public Printer previously was equivalent to Level III of the Executive
Schedule.
22 For additional information, see “Davita Vance-Cooks Becomes Acting Public Printer,” available at http://gpo.gov/
pdfs/news-media/press/12news01.pdf and “GPO’S Statement on Public Printer Boarman’s Nomination,” available at
http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/news-media/press/11news73.pdf.
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nominated by the President to be the Public Printer on April 19, 2010, and hearings were held by
the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on May 25, 2010. The committee favorably
reported the nomination on July 20, 2010, although no further action was taken during the 111th
Congress. The nomination was returned to the President at the end of the Congress in accordance
with Senate Rule XXXI. On December 29, 2010, Mr. Boarman was appointed by the President to
this position during a recess of the Senate.23 The President again nominated Mr. Boarman in the
112th Congress, and the nomination was received in the Senate on January 26, 2011. The Senate
Committee on Rules and Administration favorably reported the nomination on May 11, 2011. No
vote was held on his confirmation.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress was established in 1800. The U.S. Code, at 2 U.S.C. 136, states: “The
Librarian of Congress shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the
Senate. He shall make rules and regulations for the government of the Library.” The current
language dates to an act of February 19, 1897.24 Previously, appointment to this position had been
made solely by the President.
The U.S. Code, at 2 U.S.C. 136a-2, states: “the Librarian of Congress shall be compensated at an
annual rate of pay which is equal to the annual rate of basic pay payable for positions at Level II
of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5.”25
There is no set term of office for the Librarian.26 The Librarian of Congress Succession
Modernization Act of 2015, S. 2162, was introduced in the Senate on October 7, 2015, and agreed
to the same day by unanimous consent. It was received in the House the next day and referred to
the Committee on House Administration. The bill would establish a term limit of 10 years, with
the possibility of reappointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
Most Recent Appointment
James H. Billington was confirmed as the Librarian of Congress in the Senate by unanimous
consent on July 24, 1987, following hearings held by the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration. He was the 13th person to serve in this position. On June 10, 2015, Dr. Billington
announced his intention to retire, effective January 1, 2016. This date was later revised to
September 30, 2015. David Mao, who had been serving as Deputy Librarian and Law Librarian,
became the Acting Librarian of Congress.
Congressional Research Service
The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 provides that the Librarian of Congress appoint the
Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) “after consultation with the Joint
23 For additional information on this process, see CRS Report RS21308, Recess Appointments: Frequently Asked
Questions, by Henry B. Hogue. See also 5 U.S.C. 5503.
24 29 Stat. 544. For a lengthy discussion, see also Congressional Record, December 19, 1896, pp. 311-319.
25 From 1983 until the passage of the FY2000 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, the Librarian was compensated
at a rate equivalent to Level III of the Executive Schedule (P.L. 98-63, July 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 336, and P.L. 106-57,
September 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 424, 2 U.S.C. 136a-2 and 166).
26 For additional information on prior Librarians, see http://www.loc.gov/loc/legacy/librs.html.
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Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
Committee on the Library.”27 The basic rate of pay for the director is equivalent to Level III of the
Executive Schedule. There is no set term of office.28
Most Recent Appointment
Mary B. Mazanec, who served as Acting Director of CRS following the retirement of former
Director Daniel P. Mulhollan on April 2, 2011, was appointed Director by the Librarian of
Congress on December 5, 2011.
U.S. Capitol Police
2 U.S.C. 1901 states: “There shall be a captain of the Capitol police and such other members with
such rates of compensation, respectively, as may be appropriated for by Congress from year to
year. The Capitol Police shall be headed by a Chief who shall be appointed by the Capitol Police
Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.” The last sentence was inserted in 1979,29
struck by the FY2003 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution,30 and restored in 2010 by the
United States Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act.31
Pursuant to the FY2003 act, the chief of the Capitol Police receives compensation “equal to
$1,000 less than the lower of the annual rate of pay in effect for the Sergeant-at-Arms of the
House of Representatives or the annual rate of pay in effect for the Sergeant-at-Arms and
Doorkeeper of the Senate.”32 Pay for the chief has been adjusted multiple times in recent years: it
formerly was (1) equal to Level IV of the Executive Schedule under 1979 legislation, (2) linked
to the Senior Executive Service under an act from 2000, and (3) equal to $2,500 less than these
officers pursuant to a 2002 law.33
Most Recent Appointment
Chief Kim Dine was sworn in on December 17, 2012.34 Chief Dine succeeded Chief Philip D.
Morse, who was announced as Chief on October 27, 2006.
Congressional Budget Office
The director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has been appointed wholly by Congress
since the creation of the post with the passage of the Congressional Budget Act in 1974. The act
27 2 U.S.C. 166.
28 Ibid.
29 P.L. 96-152, December 20, 1979, 93 Stat. 1099.
30 P.L. 108-7, February 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 368.
31 P.L. 111-145, March 4, 2010, 124 Stat. 54, 55.
32 P.L. 108-7, February 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 368.
33 P.L. 107-117 (January 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2319) established the chief’s salary at a level “not to exceed $2,500 less
than the lesser of the annual salary for the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives or the annual salary for the
Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.” The FY2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act linked pay for the
chief to the former level ES–4 of the Senior Executive Service (P.L. 106-554, December 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763,
2763A-107). The chief had previously been paid at a rate equal to the annual rate determined by the Capitol Police
Board but not to exceed the basic pay payable for Level IV of the Executive Schedule (P.L. 96-152, December 20,
1979, 93 Stat. 1099). 2 U.S.C. 1902 and 1903 notes.
34 Information available on the website of the U.S. Capitol Police at http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/06press.php and
http://www.uscapitolpolice.gov/pressreleases/2012/pr_12-17-12.php.
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stipulates that the director is appointed for a four-year term “by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate after considering recommendations
received from the Committees on the Budget of the House and the Senate, without regard to
political affiliation and solely on the basis of his fitness to perform his duties.”35 The director may
be reappointed, and either chamber can remove the director by simple resolution.36 Additionally, a
director appointed “to fill a vacancy prior to the expiration of a term shall serve only for the
unexpired portion of that term” and an “individual serving as Director at the expiration of a term
may continue to serve until his successor is appointed.”37
The director of CBO receives compensation at an annual rate that is equal to the lower of the
highest annual rate of compensation of any officer of the House or any officer of the Senate.38
Most Recent Appointment
Keith Hall, the current director of CBO, began his service on April 1, 2015. He follows Douglas
W. Elmendorf, who began his term on January 22, 2009.39
Office of Compliance
2 U.S.C. 1382 states that the chair of the board of directors of the Office of Compliance, “subject
to the approval of the Board, shall appoint and may remove an Executive Director. Selection and
appointment of the Executive Director shall be without regard to political affiliation and solely on
the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the Office.”40 The executive director must be “an
individual with training or expertise in the application of laws referred to in section 1302(a)” of
Title II of the U.S. Code.41
The FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act altered the compensation for the Office’s
statutorily established positions, including that of the executive director.42 The chair of the board
may fix the annual rate of pay for the executive director, although the level may not exceed the
lesser of House or Senate officers. Prior to the FY2008 act, the maximum pay for this position
had been Level V of the Executive Schedule.
Separate legislation, P.L. 110-164, amended the Congressional Accountability Act and altered
eligibility and tenure restrictions for the executive director by allowing current or former Office
of Compliance employees to serve in this capacity. The legislation also permits the executive
director, deputy executive directors, and general counsel, who formerly were limited to one five-
year term in their positions, to serve up to two terms.43
35 2 U.S.C. 601(a).
36 2 U.S.C. 601(a)(4).
37 2 U.S.C. 601(a)(3).
38 2 U.S.C. 601(a)(5). From the establishment of CBO until the enactment of the FY2000 Consolidated Appropriations
Act, the Director was paid at a rate equivalent to Level III of the Executive Schedule.
39 For additional information, see CRS Report RL31880, Congressional Budget Office: Appointment and Tenure of the
Director and Deputy Director, by Megan S. Lynch; http://www.cbo.gov/about/overview; and Congressional Record,
January 26, 2011, p. H500 and S263.
40 P.L. 104-1, January 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 26.
41 Ibid.
42 P.L. 110-161, December 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2237.
43 P.L. 110-164, December 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2459.
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Most Recent Appointment
Barbara J. Sapin was appointed to a five-year term as executive director of the Office of
Compliance commencing January 2013. Prior to this appointment, she had served as the Office of
Compliance deputy executive director for the Senate. Previously, in January 2008, Tamara E.
Chrisler was appointed to a five-year term as executive director of the Office of Compliance.44
She had served as the acting executive director since April 2006, following the resignation of
William W. Thompson, II, and as the deputy executive director beginning in June 2005.
Table 1. Legislative Branch Agency and Entity Executives: Summary of Appointment
Process, Tenure, and Salaries
Agency (Top Official)
Appointment Process
Tenure
Salaries
Architect of the Capitol
Advice and Consent;
10 years
Lesser of House or Senate
(Architect of the
congressional commission
May be reappointed
Sergeant at Arms
Capitol)
recommends names to the
($172,500 in 2015)
President
Government
Advice and Consent;
15 years
Equivalent to Level II of the
Accountability Office
congressional commission
Not eligible for
Executive Schedule
(Comptrol er General)
recommends names to the
reappointment
($179,700 in 2015)a, b
President
Government Publishing
Advice and Consent
None specified in law
Equivalent to Level II of the
Office
Executive Schedule
(Director)
($179,700 in 2015) a, b
Library of Congress
Advice and Consent
None specified in lawc
Equivalent to Level II of the
(Librarian of Congress)
Executive Schedule
($179,700 in 2015) a, b
Congressional Research
Appointed by the Librarian after
None specified in law
Equivalent to Level III of
Service
consultation with the Joint
the Executive Schedule
(Director)
Committee on the Library
($168,700 in 2015)
Capitol Police
House and Senate Sergeant at
None specified in law
$1,000 less than the lower
(Chief)
Arms
of the House or Senate
Sergeant at Arms
($171,500 in 2015)
Congressional Budget
Appointed by Speaker and
4 years
Lower of the highest annual
Office
President pro tempore after
May be reappointed
rate of compensation of
(Director)
consideration of
any officer of the House or
recommendations of the
any officer of the Senate
Committees on the Budget
($172,500 in 2015)
Office of Compliance
Appointed by Chair of Board of
5 years
Established by Chair of the
(Executive Director)
Directors of the Office of
May serve up to two
Board at a rate not to
Compliance, subject to the
terms
exceed House or Senate
approval of the Board
Officers
(not to exceed $172,500)
Source: Congressional Research Service
a. Level II is the salary for many deputy secretaries and heads of independent agencies (5 U.S.C. 5313). For
additional information, see CRS Report RL33245, Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Officials: Process for
Adjusting Pay and Current Salaries, by Barbara L. Schwemle.
44 Information available on the Office of Compliance webpage: http://www.compliance.gov/about-the-ooc/executive-
staff/barbara-j-sapin-2/.
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link to page 8 Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Actions
b. In 2015, Level II of the Executive Schedule is equivalent to $183,300, although two laws have frozen pay
increases for certain appointees who are paid at rates equivalent to the Executive Schedule (P.L. 113-76,
Sec. 741, January 17, 2014; P.L. 113-235, title VII, Sec. 738, December 16, 2014).
c. As stated in the “Library of Congress” section, a bil pending in the 114th Congress would alter the term of
this position.
Author Contact Information
Ida A. Brudnick
Specialist on the Congress
ibrudnick@crs.loc.gov, 7-6460
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