House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
link to page 1 link to page 1 link to page 1 link to page 1 link to page 1 link to page 1 
Updated September 28, 2023
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
The Sergeant at Arms (SAA) is an elected officer of the
considered a resolution (H.Res. 511, 112th Congress) to
House of Representatives and is the chamber’s primary law
elect Paul Irving as SAA the same day.
enforcement official and protocol officer, responsible for
maintaining security on the House floor and the House side
117th Congress
of the U.S. Capitol complex. Initially established during the
On January 3, 2021, the House reelected Paul Irving as
First Congress, when the House elected Joseph Wheaton of
SAA for a sixth Congress. On January 7, 2021, he resigned
Rhode Island on May 12, 1789, the SAA performs duties
as SAA following the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S.
according to law, House rules, and custom.
Capitol during the joint session of Congress to certify and
count the 2020 presidential election electoral votes. On
January 11, 2021, Speaker Pelosi, pursuant to her authority
under 2 U.S.C. §5501, appointed Timothy Blodgett as
“The House, according to the order of the day,
acting SAA. On April 21, 2021, the House elected William
proceeded by ballot to the appointment of a Sergeant-
Walker as SAA (H.Res. 339), effective April 26, 2021.
at-Arms; and upon examining the ballots, a majority of
the votes of the whole House was found in favor of
Joseph Wheaton.”
Sergeant at Arms Since 1980
Since 1980, eight individuals have served as House SAA or
Annals of Congress, May 12, 1789, p. 330
acting SAA. Table 1 lists the SAAs since 1980.
Table 1. Sergeants at Arms of the House, 1980-2023
Selection Process
Sergeant at
The House of Representatives, on the first day of a new
Congresses
Arms
First Took Office
Congress, typically elects the House SAA. Generally, the
election occurs with the adoption of a House Resolution
96th (1979-80) to
Benjamin Guthrie March 1, 1980
(H.Res.). After the resolution’s introduction, the minority
97th (1981-82)
party typically offers an amendment to nominate its own
candidate for office. Once the House disposes of the
98th (1983-84) to
Jack Russ
January 3, 1983
minority-party amendment, the House votes to agree to the
102nd (1991-92)
resolution and elect the SAA. Two recent SAAs—Wilson
“Bill” Livingood
102nd (1991-92) to Werner Brandt
March 12, 1992
and Paul Irving—served through changes
103rd (1993-94)
in the majority party, being elected by both Republican and
Democratic majorities. The current SAA, William
104th (1995-96) to
Wilson “Bil ”
January 4, 1995
McFarland, was appointed as acting SAA on January 6,
112th (2011-12)
Livingood
2023 (second legislative day). On September 20, 2023, the
112th (2011-12) to
Paul Irvinga
January 17, 2012
House elected Mr. McFarland as SAA (H.Res. 705).
117th (2021-22)
Acting Appointment by Speaker
117th (2021-22)
Timothy
January 11, 2021
In several instances, the Speaker of the House, pursuant to 2
Blodgettb
U.S.C. §5501, has appointed an acting SAA. Alternatively,
the House could consider a resolution to elect a new SAA.
117th (2021-22)
Wil iam Walker
April 26, 2021c
118th (2023-24)
Wil iam
January 6, 2023d
Since the Speaker was given this appointment authority in
McFarlandd
1953, it has been used on multiple occasions: in 1954 with
Sources: U.S. Congress, Office of the Historian, “Sergeants at
the resignation of Lyle Snader and the appointment of
Arms,” at https://history.house.gov/People/Office/Sergeants-at-Arms.
William Bonsell; in 1980 with the resignation of Kenneth
Harding and the appointment of Benjamin Guthrie; in 1992
Notes:
with the resignation of Jack Russ and the appointment of
Paul Irving announced his resignation on January 7, 2021.
Werner Brandt; in 2021 with the resignation of Paul Irving
Timothy Blodgett was appointed as Acting SAA on January 11,
and the appointment of acting SAA Timothy Blodgett; and
2021.
in 2023 with the appointment of William McFarland. In
three of these cases—Guthrie, Brandt, and McFarland—the
Wil iam Walker was elected by the House on April 21, 2021.
acting SAA was subsequently elected by the House.
Wil iam McFarland was appointed as Acting SAA on January 6,
2023 (second legislative day). On September 20, 2023, Mr.
In at least one instance, following the retirement of Wilson
McFarland was elected as SAA (H.Res. 705).
“Bill” Livingood on January 17, 2012, the House
https://crsreports.congress.gov
link to page 2
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
Duties of the Sergeant at Arms
of House Members at ceremonial events (e.g., presidential
As the chief law enforcement officer of the House, the SAA
inaugurations, joint sessions and meetings of Congress, and
is responsible for security in the House wing of the Capitol,
other formal addresses to Congress); to greet and escort
in the House office buildings, and on adjacent grounds.
visiting foreign dignitaries; and to organize and coordinate
Under the direction of the Speaker of the House or another
arrangements for travel for Members of Congress to
presiding officer, the SAA plays an integral role in
congressional funerals.
maintaining order and decorum in the House chamber.
Additionally, the SAA carries the mace into the House
Protection and Security
chamber each day the House is in session. According to the
The SAA is responsible for ensuring the safety and security
Office of the House Historian, the SAA places the mace
of Members of the House; congressional staff; official
atop a pedestal on the Rostrum, to the right of the Speaker.
visitors to the House, including visiting foreign dignitaries;
This symbolizes that the House is in session and the mace
and tourists. Toward this mission, the SAA sometimes
remains in place while the House is in session. Figure 1
works in concert with the Senate SAA and the Architect of
shows the House mace.
the Capitol. These three officials comprise the Capitol
Police Board, with the U.S. Capitol Police Chief serving as
Figure 1. Mace of the U.S. House of Representatives
an ex-officio member (2 U.S.C. §1901 note). The House
SAA also serves with the Clerk of the House, the Senate
SAA, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Architect of the
Capitol on the Congressional Accessibility Services Board
(2 U.S.C. §2172). This board oversees the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services, which provides and
coordinates accessibility services for individuals with
disabilities in the U.S. Capitol complex.
To carry out its protection and security function, the House
SAA derives its law enforcement authorities from laws that
date to 1867 (15 Stat. 12). The SAA is also “authorized to
make such regulations as they may deem necessary for
preserving the peace and securing the Capitol from
defacement, and for the protection of the public property
therein, and they shall have power to arrest and detain any
person violating such regulations, until such person can be
brought before the proper authorities for trial” (2 U.S.C.
Source: U.S. Congress, Office of the House Historian, “Mace of the
§2183).
U.S. House of Representatives,” at https://history.house.gov/Blog/
2017/December/12-4-mace/.
The SAA also processes security clearances for House
employees through the Office of House Security (OHS).
Administrative
The OHS also provides briefings and assistance for
The SAA performs administrative services in support of
Members and staff regarding foreign travel and protecting
Members, staff, and visitors. Many of these functions are
personally identifiable information (PII). In addition, OHS
associated with House security and operations. These
acts as a repository for classified documents and provides a
include the operation of the House appointment desk and
secure location for the review of those documents.
the House parking garages and lots.
Order and Decorum
House rules require the SAA to report semiannually to the
The SAA (or a designated SAA assistant) attends all floor
Committee on House Administration the financial and
sessions and is tasked with maintaining order under the
operational status of each function under SAA jurisdiction
direction of the Speaker or other presiding officer (Rule II,
(Rule II, clause 3(e)). The reports generally provide
clause 3). Additionally, House rules designate the mace as
financial information, describe current operations, and
the symbol of the Office of the SAA and provide that the
present new and future plans.
mace “shall be borne by the Sergeant-at-Arms while
enforcing order on the floor” (Rule II, clause 3(b)). Further,
The House SAA’s office is divided into eight divisions to
the SAA may be directed to compel absent Members to
support the office’s protection and security, decorum,
attend House sessions in order to achieve the necessary
protocol, and administrative functions. They are Immediate
quorum by escorting them to the chamber (Rule XX). Both
Office/Member Support; Protocol and Chamber Operations;
practices have been rare, particularly in recent years. The
House Garages & Parking Security; Information Services;
SAA also enforces the rules relating to the privileges of the
Identification Services; Police Services/Law Enforcement;
Hall of the House (House Rule II, clause 3(c)).
House Security; and Emergency Management.
Protocol
Jacob R. Straus, Specialist on the Congress
The SAA performs a number of protocol and ceremonial
duties. Among these duties are to lead formal processions
IF11727
https://crsreports.congress.gov
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11727 · VERSION 5 · UPDATED
Updated September 28, 2023
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
The Sergeant at Arms (SAA) is an elected officer of the
considered a resolution (H.Res. 511, 112th Congress) to
House of Representatives and is the chamber’s primary law
elect Paul Irving as SAA the same day.
enforcement official and protocol officer, responsible for
maintaining security on the House floor and the House side
117th Congress
of the U.S. Capitol complex. Initially established during the
On January 3, 2021, the House reelected Paul Irving as
First Congress, when the House elected Joseph Wheaton of
SAA for a sixth Congress. On January 7, 2021, he resigned
Rhode Island on May 12, 1789, the SAA performs duties
as SAA following the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S.
according to law, House rules, and custom.
Capitol during the joint session of Congress to certify and
count the 2020 presidential election electoral votes. On
January 11, 2021, Speaker Pelosi, pursuant to her authority
under 2 U.S.C. §5501, appointed Timothy Blodgett as
“The House, according to the order of the day,
acting SAA. On April 21, 2021, the House elected William
proceeded by ballot to the appointment of a Sergeant-
Walker as SAA (H.Res. 339), effective April 26, 2021.
at-Arms; and upon examining the ballots, a majority of
the votes of the whole House was found in favor of
Joseph Wheaton.”
Sergeant at Arms Since 1980
Since 1980, eight individuals have served as House SAA or
Annals of Congress, May 12, 1789, p. 330
acting SAA. Table 1 lists the SAAs since 1980.
Table 1. Sergeants at Arms of the House, 1980-2023
Selection Process
Sergeant at
The House of Representatives, on the first day of a new
Congresses
Arms
First Took Office
Congress, typically elects the House SAA. Generally, the
election occurs with the adoption of a House Resolution
96th (1979-80) to
Benjamin Guthrie March 1, 1980
(H.Res.). After the resolution’s introduction, the minority
97th (1981-82)
party typically offers an amendment to nominate its own
candidate for office. Once the House disposes of the
98th (1983-84) to
Jack Russ
January 3, 1983
minority-party amendment, the House votes to agree to the
102nd (1991-92)
resolution and elect the SAA. Two recent SAAs—Wilson
“Bill” Livingood
102nd (1991-92) to Werner Brandt
March 12, 1992
and Paul Irving—served through changes
103rd (1993-94)
in the majority party, being elected by both Republican and
Democratic majorities. The current SAA, William
104th (1995-96) to
Wilson “Bil ”
January 4, 1995
McFarland, was appointed as acting SAA on January 6,
112th (2011-12)
Livingood
2023 (second legislative day). On September 20, 2023, the
112th (2011-12) to
Paul Irvinga
January 17, 2012
House elected Mr. McFarland as SAA (H.Res. 705).
117th (2021-22)
Acting Appointment by Speaker
117th (2021-22)
Timothy
January 11, 2021
In several instances, the Speaker of the House, pursuant to 2
Blodgettb
U.S.C. §5501, has appointed an acting SAA. Alternatively,
the House could consider a resolution to elect a new SAA.
117th (2021-22)
Wil iam Walker
April 26, 2021c
118th (2023-24)
Wil iam
January 6, 2023d
Since the Speaker was given this appointment authority in
McFarlandd
1953, it has been used on multiple occasions: in 1954 with
Sources: U.S. Congress, Office of the Historian, “Sergeants at
the resignation of Lyle Snader and the appointment of
Arms,” at https://history.house.gov/People/Office/Sergeants-at-Arms.
William Bonsell; in 1980 with the resignation of Kenneth
Harding and the appointment of Benjamin Guthrie; in 1992
Notes:
with the resignation of Jack Russ and the appointment of
Paul Irving announced his resignation on January 7, 2021.
Werner Brandt; in 2021 with the resignation of Paul Irving
Timothy Blodgett was appointed as Acting SAA on January 11,
and the appointment of acting SAA Timothy Blodgett; and
2021.
in 2023 with the appointment of William McFarland. In
three of these cases—Guthrie, Brandt, and McFarland—the
Wil iam Walker was elected by the House on April 21, 2021.
acting SAA was subsequently elected by the House.
Wil iam McFarland was appointed as Acting SAA on January 6,
2023 (second legislative day). On September 20, 2023, Mr.
In at least one instance, following the retirement of Wilson
McFarland was elected as SAA (H.Res. 705).
“Bill” Livingood on January 17, 2012, the House
https://crsreports.congress.gov
link to page 2
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
Duties of the Sergeant at Arms
of House Members at ceremonial events (e.g., presidential
As the chief law enforcement officer of the House, the SAA
inaugurations, joint sessions and meetings of Congress, and
is responsible for security in the House wing of the Capitol,
other formal addresses to Congress); to greet and escort
in the House office buildings, and on adjacent grounds.
visiting foreign dignitaries; and to organize and coordinate
Under the direction of the Speaker of the House or another
arrangements for travel for Members of Congress to
presiding officer, the SAA plays an integral role in
congressional funerals.
maintaining order and decorum in the House chamber.
Additionally, the SAA carries the mace into the House
Protection and Security
chamber each day the House is in session. According to the
The SAA is responsible for ensuring the safety and security
Office of the House Historian, the SAA places the mace
of Members of the House; congressional staff; official
atop a pedestal on the Rostrum, to the right of the Speaker.
visitors to the House, including visiting foreign dignitaries;
This symbolizes that the House is in session and the mace
and tourists. Toward this mission, the SAA sometimes
remains in place while the House is in session. Figure 1
works in concert with the Senate SAA and the Architect of
shows the House mace.
the Capitol. These three officials comprise the Capitol
Police Board, with the U.S. Capitol Police Chief serving as
Figure 1. Mace of the U.S. House of Representatives
an ex-officio member (2 U.S.C. §1901 note). The House
SAA also serves with the Clerk of the House, the Senate
SAA, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Architect of the
Capitol on the Congressional Accessibility Services Board
(2 U.S.C. §2172). This board oversees the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services, which provides and
coordinates accessibility services for individuals with
disabilities in the U.S. Capitol complex.
To carry out its protection and security function, the House
SAA derives its law enforcement authorities from laws that
date to 1867 (15 Stat. 12). The SAA is also “authorized to
make such regulations as they may deem necessary for
preserving the peace and securing the Capitol from
defacement, and for the protection of the public property
therein, and they shall have power to arrest and detain any
person violating such regulations, until such person can be
brought before the proper authorities for trial” (2 U.S.C.
Source: U.S. Congress, Office of the House Historian, “Mace of the
§2183).
U.S. House of Representatives,” at https://history.house.gov/Blog/
2017/December/12-4-mace/.
The SAA also processes security clearances for House
employees through the Office of House Security (OHS).
Administrative
The OHS also provides briefings and assistance for
The SAA performs administrative services in support of
Members and staff regarding foreign travel and protecting
Members, staff, and visitors. Many of these functions are
personally identifiable information (PII). In addition, OHS
associated with House security and operations. These
acts as a repository for classified documents and provides a
include the operation of the House appointment desk and
secure location for the review of those documents.
the House parking garages and lots.
Order and Decorum
House rules require the SAA to report semiannually to the
The SAA (or a designated SAA assistant) attends all floor
Committee on House Administration the financial and
sessions and is tasked with maintaining order under the
operational status of each function under SAA jurisdiction
direction of the Speaker or other presiding officer (Rule II,
(Rule II, clause 3(e)). The reports generally provide
clause 3). Additionally, House rules designate the mace as
financial information, describe current operations, and
the symbol of the Office of the SAA and provide that the
present new and future plans.
mace “shall be borne by the Sergeant-at-Arms while
enforcing order on the floor” (Rule II, clause 3(b)). Further,
The House SAA’s office is divided into eight divisions to
the SAA may be directed to compel absent Members to
support the office’s protection and security, decorum,
attend House sessions in order to achieve the necessary
protocol, and administrative functions. They are Immediate
quorum by escorting them to the chamber (Rule XX). Both
Office/Member Support; Protocol and Chamber Operations;
practices have been rare, particularly in recent years. The
House Garages & Parking Security; Information Services;
SAA also enforces the rules relating to the privileges of the
Identification Services; Police Services/Law Enforcement;
Hall of the House (House Rule II, clause 3(c)).
House Security; and Emergency Management.
Protocol
Jacob R. Straus, Specialist on the Congress
The SAA performs a number of protocol and ceremonial
duties. Among these duties are to lead formal processions
IF11727
https://crsreports.congress.gov
House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11727 · VERSION 5 · UPDATED