Support Offices in the House of Representatives: Roles and Authorities

January 4, 2006 – June 23, 2020 RL33220

Support Offices in the House of
June 23, 2020
Representatives: Roles and Authorities
Ida A. Brudnick
Article I of the Constitution, in Sections 2 and 3, authorizes the House of Representatives and
Specialist on the Congress
Senate to choose their own officers. The number of such congressional support personnel, as well

as their specific responsibilities, is left to the discretion of the chambers. Over time, both
chambers have authorized a number of offices that assist them, collectively or individually, in

their work.
In the House, these offices include the Clerk of the House, Chief Administrative Officer, Sergeant at Arms, Office of the
Legislative Counsel, Office of the Parliamentarian, Office of the Law Revision Counsel, Office of Interparliamentary Affairs,
Office of Congressional Ethics, House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards, Office of the Inspector General,
Office of General Counsel, House Chaplain, Historian of the House, Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman, and Office of
Diversity and Inclusion. These offices perform legislative, administrative, financial, and ceremonial functions. They also
ensure the protection of Congress and preserve its institutional memory.
The roles of House support offices have been established by House Rules, statute, and custom. They are also shaped by the
congressional authorities with policy, oversight, and funding responsibilities for the offices. These include the House
Administration Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, the House Office Building Commission, and the Office of
the Speaker.
Four of the officers—the Clerk of the House, Chief Administrative Officer, Sergeant at Arms, and Chaplain—are elected by
the House. The Speaker appoints the leadership of some of the other House support offices, while others have other
appointment mechanisms detailed throughout this report.
This report provides an overview of the different roles performed and the organizational authorities that govern the “daily
operations” offices in the House of Representatives. Certain entities that assist both the House and Senate, like the Archite ct
of the Capitol, Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, Office of the
Attending Physician, Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and Congressional
Research Service (CRS), are included in this report, although the focus here is on their services to the House.
The report is organized by function, with sections on offices supporting legislative duties; administrative, operational, and
financial offices; legal and regulatory offices; ceremonial and historical offices; and security offices. Offices with
responsibilities in more than one area are addressed in successive sections. More detailed information on select offices is a lso
available in additional CRS products identified throughout.
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Support Offices in the House of Representatives: Roles and Authorities

Introduction
Article I of the Constitution, in Sections 2 and 3, authorizes the House of Representatives and
Senate to choose their own officers. The number of such congressional support personnel, as wel
as their specific responsibilities, is left to the discretion of each chamber. Over time, both
chambers have authorized a number of offices to assist them, collectively or individual y, in their
work. These offices perform legislative, administrative, financial, and ceremonial functions. They
also ensure the protection of Congress and preserve its institutional memory.
The roles of House support offices have been established by House Rules, statute, and custom.
They may also be shaped by congressional authorities with oversight, funding, or appointing
responsibility for the offices.
The House Administration Committee, for example, has jurisdiction over legislation pertaining to
services to the House.1 The committee is also charged with providing policy direction and
oversight for the Chief Administrative Officer and Inspector General and oversight of the Clerk
and Sergeant at Arms.2 The committee may approve a reorganization of these offices. It also
frequently distributes “Dear Colleague” letters to communicate its response to internal
operational issues relating to these and other support offices. The House Appropriations
Committee, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, through its consideration of the annual
spending measure for the legislative branch, also shapes the chamber’s internal operations.
Guidance from the committee may be found in hearings, the House report accompanying the
legislative branch appropriations bil , the bil text, and the conference committee report. The
Speaker, as the appointing authority for some of these offices and as a member of the House
Office Building Commission, also has influence over their work.
This report is an overview of the relationships among, and different roles and functions
performed by, the “daily operations” offices in the U.S. House of Representatives. The
organizational authorities are also addressed. Certain entities shared with the Senate, like the
legislative support agencies, are included in this report, although it focuses whenever possible on
their service to the House. Offices with responsibilities in more than one area are addressed in
successive sections. More detailed information on select offices is available in additional
Congressional Research Service products identified throughout.
Offices Assisting Legislative Duties
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and their staff have numerous avenues for
assistance in legislative matters. Support offices are available to participate in al stages of the
legislative process, from background research on public policy issues, to the drafting of potential
bil s, through the submission, consideration, and evaluation of proposed legislation. The three
legislative branch agencies, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Congressional Budget
Office (CBO), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), serve both chambers. Other
legislative support offices are dedicated mainly to serving the House of Representatives.
Legislative Branch Agencies: CRS, CBO, and GAO
Three agencies are dedicated to serving the legislative branch in legislative, representational, and
oversight matters: the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Congressional Budget Office

1 House Rule X, clause 1(k), H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
2 House Rule X, clause 4, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
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(CBO), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). These agencies each assist
committees, Members of both chambers, and their staff by providing nonpartisan research and
analysis.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is the public policy research arm of Congress. It
provides nonpartisan, confidential analysis exclusively for Members of Congress. CRS staff
conduct briefings on specific policy issues, arrange regular educational seminars on a variety of
legislative topics, produce reports on current legislative issues, deliver expert testimony before
congressional committees, and prepare customized written analyses in response to specific
inquiries. Original y established as the Legislative Reference Service in 1914, the Congressional
Research Service was renamed and given expanded research and analytic duties with the passage
of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970.3 The Librarian of Congress, after consultation with
the Joint Committee on the Library, appoints the director of CRS.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provides estimates of the costs of bil s, joint resolutions,
and amendments. These estimates are required for any measure reported by a regular or
conference committee that may vary revenues or expenditures, although estimates may be issued
at other stages of the legislative process upon request.4 CBO issues the projected effect of the
measure for the current and four ensuing fiscal years. Since passage of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995,5 CBO has also been charged with estimating the impact of these reported
measures on state and local governments for the same time period. CBO also provides estimates
of the nation’s spending and revenue over the next 10 years; an analysis of the President’s annual
budget proposal; Monthly Budget Reviews, which track the monthly status of outlays, receipts,
and the deficit or surplus throughout the year; studies requested by congressional committees and
subcommittees; and, resources permitting, requests from individual Members.6 Along with the
House and Senate Budget Committees, CBO was established as part of the Congressional Budget
and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.7 Its director is appointed by the Speaker of the House and
the President pro tempore of the Senate, acting jointly, after consideration of recommendations
made by the House and Senate Budget Committees.8
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), formerly known as the General Accounting
Office, was original y established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921.9 GAO is directed
by the Comptroller General of the United States, who is appointed for a 15-year term by the
President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. GAO assists in congressional oversight by
evaluating the performance of government policies and programs. GAO also conducts financial
and management audits and makes recommendations for corrective legislation and actions. Its
Office of Special Investigations examines al egations of fraud, misconduct, and waste. Some
GAO work is prescribed in mandates, including statutes, congressional resolutions, conference

3 P.L. 63-127, ch. 141, July 16, 1914; P.L. 79-601, ch. 753, title II, §203, August 2, 1946, 60 Stat. 836; P.L. 91-510,
title III, §321(a), October 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1181; 2 U.S.C. §166.
4 T he Congressional Budget Office is required to use estimates provided by the Joint Committee on T axation for all
revenue legislation (Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, P.L. 99-177, §273, December 12,
1985, 99 Stat.1098; 2 U.S.C. §621 et seq.).
5 P.L. 104-4, §2, March 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 48; 2 U.S.C. §1501.
6 See also https://www.cbo.gov/about/products/major-recurring-reports.
7 P.L. 93-344, §201, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 302; 2 U.S.C. §658.
8 For more information, see CRS Report RL31880, Congressional Budget Office: Appointment and Tenure of the
Director and Deputy Director.
9 Originally created as the General Accounting Office (Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, June 10, 1921, 42 Stat. 23,
31 U.S.C. §702(a)). Renamed by the GAO Human Capital Reform Act of 2004, P.L. 108-271, 118 Stat. 811.
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reports, and committee reports. Requests also come from the congressional leadership, committee
chairs and ranking minority Members, and only in rare instances, individual Members, with
priority in those cases going to Members on a committee of jurisdiction.10 GAO may also initiate
its own work.11
Clerk of the House
The Clerk of the House is an elected officer of the House who performs legislative,
administrative, educational, and preservation duties. A Clerk has been elected at the start of each
Congress since 1789. The Committee on House Administration provides oversight for this
office.12 Two offices within the Clerk’s office are directly involved in the daily legislative
operations of the House.
The first, the Office of Legislative Operations, assists the Clerk in fulfil ing duties related to the
handling of House documents. These include a mandate that the Clerk “attest and affix the seal of
the House to al writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by order of the House and certify the
passage of al bil s and joint resolutions,” and present House-originated bil s and Joint
Resolutions to the President.13
Within this office are five clerks: bill clerks receive introduced bil s and amendments; enrolling
clerks prepare the official engrossed copy of House-passed bil s, transmit messages to the Senate
regarding approved legislation, and prepare the official enrolled copy of any House-originated
bil or resolution; journal clerks compile the minutes of proceedings in the House, fulfil ing the
requirement in Article I, Section V of the Constitution that “each House shal keep a Journal of its
Proceedings”; reading clerks read al of the bil s, resolutions, and amendments before the House;
and the tally clerks operate the electronic roll cal voting system.
Another legislative function under the Clerk’s direction is the production of the Congressional
Record and supervision of the official reporters, who have provided verbatim transcripts of
congressional debate for this publication since 1873.
Office of the Legislative Counsel
The House Office of the Legislative Counsel provides impartial and confidential drafting services
to al Members and committee offices. The office is charged with assisting clients “in the
achievement of a clear, faithful, and coherent expression of legislative policies” and is prohibited
from advocating any position.14 With the exception of amendments made in order by the Rules
Committee under special rules, there is no general requirement that Members utilize this service
for their drafting needs.15

10 GAO’s guidelines for responding to congressional requests, releasing related reports, and testifying before
committees and subcommittees are contained in U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO’s Congressional
Protocols, GAO-17-767G (Washington: GAO, 2017), available at https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/685901.pdf.
11 P.L. 97-258, September 13, 1982; 96 Stat. 893; 31 U.S.C. §717.
12 House Rule X, clause 4, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
13 House Rule II, clause 2(d), H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
14 Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, P.L. 91-510, Title V, §501, October 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1201; 2 U.S.C. §281.
15 T his requirement is often stated in the “Dear Colleague” letters that announce the Rules Committee may meet to
grant a Special Rule. For example, in a January 29, 2020, “ Dear Colleague,” Members were informed that any
amendments to H.R. 5687, should be submitted by February 3, 2020. T he letter stipulated that “ Members should use
the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that t heir amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members
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The office may be involved in several stages of the legislative process. It may assist conference
committee managers in the drafting of a bil or the accompanying explanatory statement. It also
aids House committees and subcommittees in drafting bil s. Final y, the office may assist
individual Members in drafting bil s and amendments, subject to time constraints.
Original y established as the Legislative Drafting Service with the Revenue Act of 1918,16 the
office currently operates under provisions set forth in the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1970.17 The office is headed by the Legislative Counsel of the House, who is appointed by the
Speaker.18
Office of the Parliamentarian
The Office of the Parliamentarian provides advice on the interpretation of House Rules and
precedents. A parliamentarian has been appointed by the Speaker each Congress since 1927. The
position has remained strictly nonpartisan, as evidenced by the long tenures of the occupants:
Lewis Deschler, the first parliamentarian, served from 1928-1974; Wil iam Holmes Brown, 1974-
1994; Charles W. Johnson, III, 1994-2004; John V. Sullivan, 2004-2012; and Thomas J. Wickham
Jr., 2012-present.
The Speaker, or other designated presiding officer, is responsible for ruling on questions of order
in the House. The parliamentarian or an assistant is always present when the House or Committee
of the Whole is in session, ready to assist in determining appropriate rulings and responses. The
parliamentarian sits on the top tier of the House dais, located to the presiding officer’s right. The
Rules of the House are not self-enforcing, and any Member al eging a violation must rise to make
a point of order and insist upon enforcement. Although no requirement exists that the House
follows the advice of the parliamentarian, and Members may appeal certain types of rulings, in
most cases the parliamentarian’s advice is considered definitive.19
In addition to procedural interpretations during debate, the office advises the Speaker on referring
proposed legislation to the appropriate committees, based on the House Rules and precedents.
Individual Members may also make an inquiry with the Office of the Parliamentarian. These
inquiries may concern, for example, questions of jurisdiction before a bil is introduced. The
parliamentarian may also assist offices in understanding the meaning and application of specific
procedural tools.
The office also oversees the revision of the House Rules and Manual, official y titled
Constitution, Jefferson’s Manual and Rules of the House of Representatives, which is usual y

should also check with the Congressional Budget Office for a preliminary assessment of their amendments’ budgetary
effects. Finally, Members should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian and the Committee on the Budget to be
certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House and the Congressional Budget Act .”
16 40 Stat. 1141. T he office was renamed with the passage of the Revenue Act of 1924 (43 Stat. 353).
17 P.L. 91-510, October 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1201; 2 U.S.C. §281.
18 For more information, see the Office of the Legislative Counsel website, at http://legcoun.house.gov.
19 For additional information on the practices governing appeals, see U.S. Congress, House, Constitution, Jefferson’s
Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives of the United States, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, H.Doc. 114 -
192, 114th Cong., 2nd sess., [compiled by] T homas Wickham, Parliamentarian (Washington: GPO, 2017), §629; or CRS
Report 98-307, Points of Order, Rulings, and Appeals in the House of Representatives, by Valerie Heitshusen. Appeals
may not be made, for example, in response to parliamentary inquiries, decisions concerning recognition, the
dilatoriness of motions, the chair’s count of the number rising to demand a roll call vote, or the determination that a
Member’s time in debate has expired.
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authorized by resolution each Congress.20 This manual is a compilation of source material on
parliamentary procedure.21
Office of the Law Revision Counsel
The Office of the Law Revision Counsel revises, prepares, and publishes the United States Code,
which is an arrangement by subject matter of al general and permanent U.S. laws.22 Most of the
work of the office is subsequent to the legislative process. Its main legislative duty consists of
submitting to the Committee on the Judiciary one title of the Code at a time, reflecting a complete
compilation and revision of the law, including any amendments. It may also submit to the
committee recommendations for the repeal of obsolete provisions and for technical or clarifying
corrections. The Committee on the Judiciary may then consider incorporating the submissions of
the office into a bil to report to the House.23
The office was first authorized by the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 (H.Res. 988),
which was enacted into permanent law by P.L. 93-554.24 It is led by the Law Revision Counsel,
who is appointed by the Speaker.25
Administrative, Operational, and Financial Offices
With five House Office Buildings, approximately 10,000 employees, and visits from dignitaries
and tourists alike, the U.S. House of Representatives has over time developed a means of
ensuring the institution’s smooth operation. The administrative support offices address various
needs of Members and staff, ensure the proper maintenance of the House facilities, and facilitate
the exchange of information both within the Capitol and beyond.
Clerk of the House
In addition to certain legislative, ceremonial, and preservation duties, the Clerk of the House
performs various administrative functions. These are carried out under the oversight of the
Committee on House Administration.
At the commencement of every session of Congress, the Clerk is charged with compiling and
delivering to al Members “a list of the reports that any officer or Department is required to make
to Congress,” citing the relevant authority.26 The Clerk is also responsible for distributing the
House Calendars each legislative day and, after the close of a session, a copy of the Journal to

20 For example, see H.Res. 1164, 115th Cong., agreed to on November 30, 2018.
21 For more information on procedure, see CRS Report RS20544, The Office of the Parliamentarian in the House and
Senate, by Valerie Heitshusen; and CRS Report 98-175, House Com m ittee Jurisdiction and Referral: Rules and
Practice, and http://history.house.gov/People/Office/Parliamentarians/.
22 2 U.S.C. §285 et seq.
23 Examples of bills to codify titles of the U.S. Code include H.R. 3237, 111th Cong. (which became P.L. 111-314)
concerning T itle 51, “ National and Commercial Space Programs”; H.R. 1442, 109th Cong. (which became P.L. 109-
304) concerning T itle 46, “ Shipping”; and H.R. 2068, 107th Cong., (which became P.L. 107-217) concerning T itle 40,
“Public Buildings, Property, and Works.” For information on “current and recently completed positive law codification
projects,” see https://uscode.house.gov/codification/legislation.shtml#current_plaw.
24 December 27, 1974, 88 Stat. 1777; 2 U.S.C. §285 et seq.
25 For more information, see the Office of the Law Revision Counsel website, at http://uscode.house.gov/.
26 House Rule II, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019. See also CRS Report R46357, Congressionally
Mandated Reports: Overview and Considerations for Congress, by William T . Egar.
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each Member, the President, and state legislatures, as requested. Upon the death, resignation, or
expulsion of any Member, the Clerk is responsible for managing that Member’s office until a
successor is elected.27 The Clerk also prepares semiannual reports on the operations and finances
of this office, subject to the review of the Committee on House Administration.
Various offices under the Clerk perform numerous administrative functions, including supporting
the Republican and Democratic Cloakrooms and certain other Members’ areas; maintaining the
electronic voting system; providing information and printed records both to the House and the
general public through the Legislative Resource Center (LRC); and maintaining public disclosure
documents, including financial and travel forms, as wel as the registration of lobbyists.28 The
Office of House Employment Counsel also provides legal advice on employment practices within
the chamber to the employing offices. The House Employment Counsel was established by the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of FY2002 in response to the Congressional
Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA).29 The CAA applied certain labor, civil rights, and workplace
laws to legislative branch employees and established the Office of Congressional Workplace
Rights (formerly Office of Compliance) to administer and enforce its implementation and mediate
disputes.30 The House Employment Counsel provides legal assistance to employing offices in the
House and may review personnel policies and decisions. The counsel may also provide legal
representation for these offices. Like the House General Counsel, who provides legal
representation concerning other aspects of the official duties of Members, officers, and
employees, the House Employment Counsel may appear before any court of the United States,
with the exception of the Supreme Court, “without compliance with any requirements for
admission to practice before such court.”31
Chief Administrative Officer
The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer was established at the beginning of the 104th
Congress to assume the duties of the Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services.32 The
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) executes both administrative and financial duties. Elected by
the House, the CAO is subject to the policy direction and oversight of the Committee on House
Administration.33
The CAO’s office operates the First Cal Customer Solutions Center, which is the initial point of
contact for House offices requiring the assistance of the Office of the Chief Administrative
Officer. First Cal handles services such as the ordering of tapes of proceedings on the House

27 For additional information on this role, see CRS Report RL34347, Members of Congress Who Die in Office: Historic
and Current Practices, by R. Eric Petersen and Jennifer E. Manning.
28 T he Committee on House Administrative may approve reorganization s within the Office of the Clerk. For example,
the creation of the LRC was approved by the Committee on House Oversight (now Administration) in May 1995 (U.S.
Congress, House Committee on House Oversight, Report on the Activities of the Com m ittee on House Oversight of the
House of Representatives, committee print, 104th Cong., 2nd sess. (Washington: GPO, 2003) p. 82).
29 P.L. 107-68, §119, November 12, 2001, 115 Stat.573; in response to P.L. 104-1, January 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 4; 2
U.S.C. §1301 et seq.
30 For more information on the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, see section on “Legal and Regulatory
Offices.”
31 2 U.S.C. §1408 (provisions relating to the House Employment Counsel); 2 U.S.C. §130f (provisions relating to the
General Counsel).
32 T his position had been created with the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992, H.Res. 423, 102nd Cong.
33 House Rule X, clause 4, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019. For more information, see the Chief
Administrative Officer’s website, at http://cao.house.gov/.
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Floor, the filing of “Dear Colleague” letters, the administration of the mass transit benefit
program, reservation and arrangement of rooms for special events, and other general information
requests.
The CAO’s office houses the Administrative Counsel, who provides legal research and advice for
offices under the CAO. The counsel also examines district office and long-term automobile leases
to ensure compliance with House Rules and the regulations set forth by the Committee on House
Administration, which publishes these requirements. A Member is personal y liable for payments
for any lease not in compliance, and guidelines in the Members’ Handbook stipulate that
The House will not authorize disbursement of funds to make payments under the terms of
the lease agreement until the CAO Office of Administrative Counsel has reviewed the lease
agreement and has signed the attachment. Similarly, the CAO Office of Administrative
Counsel must review any proposed substantive amendment and sign the attachment for the
amendment before the House will authorize any payment pursuant to such an amendment.
Any amendment to a lease agreement must be in writing.34
The CAO’s office also performs various functions related to employee assistance and
management. These include, for example, operating the resume referral and outplacement service,
administering the House child care center,35 and offering various employee development and
training programs.
Another responsibility of the CAO is the provision of information technology (IT) and
telecommunication support for Members, committees, officers, and staff. The office oversees
information security issues, offers training sessions through the Congressional Staff Academy,
and assists offices in establishing and maintaining their websites.
The CAO also oversees additional House support services, including the three press gal eries (the
periodical press gal ery, the [daily] press gal ery, and the radio/TV correspondents’ gal ery); the
recording studio; the photography office; the furniture support service office; the supply store;
and the gift shop.
The CAO is responsible for the financial and budgetary operations of the House, including
disbursing monthly pay and benefits for Members and staff.36 Financial counselors in the CAO’s
office advise Members, committees, officers, and other offices of the House on the use of their
official expenses. Additional staff within the CAO’s office assist in the maintenance of the
systems necessary to process the financial operations of the House and prepare the CAO’s
appropriations requests.
The CAO’s financial duties also require that the office maintain records of al financial operations
of the House, including receipts and disbursement data pertaining to House funds, and assist in
the preparation of the quarterly Statement of Disbursements of the House.37 As part of his
financial duties, the CAO must submit this report within 60 days after the last day of each quarter.
The report contains detailed, itemized information on each disbursement of the House of
Representatives.38

34 Member’s Congressional Handbook, on the website of the Committee on House Administration, at
https://cha.house.gov/member-services/handbooks/members-congressional-handbook.
35 2 U.S.C. §2062.
36 2 U.S.C. §5301 et seq. and 2 U.S.C. §4551.
37 T hese are available online, at https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/open-government/statement-of-
disbursements.
38 A conforming amendment in the House of Representatives Administrative Reform T echnical Corrections Act
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Sergeant at Arms
The House Sergeant at Arms is an elected officer who performs administrative, ceremonial, and
protective roles. He is subject to the oversight of the Committee on House Administration. The
House Sergeant at Arms is a member of the Congressional Accessibility Services Board (see
“Office of Congressional Accessibility Services”).
Other administrative duties of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms include the issuance of
identification badges and pins. The Garage and Parking Security division administers the parking
program and enforces the rules of the House Garages, under the guidance of the Committee on
House Administration.39
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs
The House of Representatives Office of Interparliamentary Affairs was established with the
passage of the FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.40 Its duties include facilitating
official visits from foreign parliamentarians to the House of Representatives and, along with the
Sergeant at Arms and the Clerk of the House, assisting delegations of Members of the House to
foreign nations. The office is also charged with coordinating the participation of the House of
Representatives in other interparliamentary exchanges and organizations. The office is led by a
director who is appointed by the Speaker.
Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman
A new Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman was established for the 116th Congress.41 Duties
of the office include promulgating best practices for the intake of whistleblower information and
providing training for House offices.
The office is led by a Whistleblower Ombudsman, who is appointed by the Speaker in
consultation with the chairs and ranking minority members of the Committee on House
Administration and the Committee on Oversight and Reform. An announcement regarding the
appointment of the first Whistleblower Ombudsman was issued on February 14, 2020.42
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
A new Office of Diversity and Inclusion was established for the 116th Congress.43 The office was
tasked with submitting a diversity plan to the Committee on House Administration, developing a
diversity survey, and compiling a diversity report each Congress.
The office is led by a director who is appointed by the Speaker, in consultation with the minority
leader, from recommendations provided by the chair of the Committee on House Administration

transferred this duty from the Clerk of the House to the Ch ief Administrative Officer (P.L. 104-186 §106, August 20,
1996, 110 Stat. 1722; 2 U.S.C. §4108 and 5535).
39 For more information on the security role of the Sergeant at Arm s, see security and maintenance of order section of
this report; also the Sergeant at Arms website, available to House Members and staff , at http://sgtatarms.house.gov.
40 P.L. 108-83, §103, September 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1016; 2 U.S.C. §5582.
41 H.Res. 6, §104(e), 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019. For more information, see the office’s website at
https://whistleblower.house.gov/.
42 https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/21420-0
43 H.Res. 6, §104(d), 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
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in consultation with the ranking minority member. An announcement regarding the appointment
of the first director was issued on March 10, 2020.44
House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards
Also known as the Franking Commission, the House Commission on Congressional Mailing
Standards is directed to “provide guidance, assistance, advice, and counsel, through advisory
opinions or consultations, in connection with the mailing or contemplated mailing of franked
mail.”45 The commission is composed of six members appointed by the Speaker, with
membership evenly split among the parties. Oversight is provided by the Committee on House
Administration.46
House Office Building Commission
The section of the U.S. Code governing the operations and maintenance of the Capitol complex
states that
the House of Representatives Office Building ... shall be under the control and supervision
of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the approval and direction of a commission
consisting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and two other Representatives
in Congress, to be appointed by the Speaker.47
In the past, the two other appointed seats have traditional y been occupied by the majority and
minority leaders. The House Office Building Commission was first authorized by an act approved
on March 4, 1907. This was soon followed by a joint resolution governing the room assignment
process in the House, approved on May 28, 1908. This resolution placed room assignments under
the control of the Superintendent of House Office Buildings, subject to the approval and direction
of the commission.
The commission may issue rules and regulations that govern the use and occupancy of al rooms
in the House Office Buildings. These regulations include, for example, a prohibition on smoking
in certain areas, soliciting political contributions in any House facility, and placing certain items
in hal ways. Along with the Committee on House Administration and the Architect of the Capitol,
the House Office Building Commission has assisted in the consideration of parking issues.
The commission also has authority over the approval of the acquisition or leasing of new
buildings and facilities.48

44 https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/31020-1
45 T he commission was established by P.L. 93-191, December 18, 1973; 2 U.S.C. §501.
46 For further information, see http://cha.house.gov/franking.aspx.
47 2 U.S.C. §2001.
48 Pursuant to the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Architect of the Capitol must notify and receive
approval from both the House Office Building Commission and the House Committee on Appropriations to use
appropriated funds for the leasing of space for the House of Representatives ( P.L. 110-161, December 26, 2007, 121
Stat. 2243, 2 U.S.C. §1822).
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Architect of the Capitol, the Superintendent of House Office
Buildings, Electricians, and Engineers
The Architect of the Capitol operates and maintains the buildings and grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
His office contains the Capitol Guide Service, and he is also a member of the Congressional
Accessibility Services Board.49
The Architect is authorized to employ a Superintendent of the House Office Buildings to serve
under his jurisdiction. The Superintendent is responsible for the maintenance of the Ford, O’Neil ,
Rayburn, Longworth, and Cannon House Office Buildings, as wel as the former Page Dormitory.
The Superintendent supervises the biennial office lottery and moves, coordinates the House
recycling program, and oversees the general maintenance of the House buildings. The electricians
and engineers in the House of Representatives are responsible for the lighting, heating, and
ventilation of the House side of the Capitol. They are “subject exclusively to the orders, and in al
respects under the direction, of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the control of the Speaker;
and no removal or appointment shal be made except with his approval.”50
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
The Capitol Visitor Center opened to the public on December 2, 2008. In anticipation of its
opening, the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 was enacted to provide for its administration.51
The act also reorganized the management of offices related to the visitor experience. It placed the
Capitol Guide Service under the Architect of the Capitol and established the Office of
Congressional Accessibility Services. The office coordinates services and information for
individuals with disabilities, including Members, staff, and visitors, within the Capitol Complex.
The office is subject to the direction of a board, which consists of the Senate Sergeant at Arms,
the Secretary of the Senate, the House Sergeant at Arms, the Clerk of the House, and the Architect
of the Capitol. The board appoints the Director of Accessibility Services.
Legal and Regulatory Offices
Four support offices, including the Inspector General, the Office of Congressional Ethics, the
Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Office of General Counsel, work to ensure
that the House of Representatives maintains proper oversight over its internal activities and
complies with legal requirements regarding employment and other practices.
Inspector General
The House of Representatives employs an Inspector General (IG), who, pursuant to Rule II, is
charged with providing “audit, investigative, and advisory services to the House and joint entities

49 T he Capitol Guide Service was transferred to the Architect’s Office of the Capitol Visitor Center pursuant to P.L.
110-437 (October 20, 2008, 122 Stat. 4990), which also established the “ Office of Congressional Accessibility
Service”; 2 U.S.C. §2241 and 130e. For more information on the Architect of the Capitol, see CRS Report R41074,
Architect of the Capitol: Evolution and Im plem entation of the Appointm ent Procedure , by Ida A. Brudnick, and the
Architect of the Capitol website, at http://www.aoc.gov/.
50 19 Stat. 348, March 3, 1877; 2 U.S.C. §1833.
51 P.L. 110-437, October 20, 2008, 122 Stat. 4990.
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in a manner consistent with government-wide standards.”52 House Rule II also states that the IG
may suggest remedial actions following audits, and that the IG reports to the Committee on Ethics
information involving possible violations of House Rules or applicable laws related to the
performance of official duties.
The office was first established by H.Res. 423, adopted April 9, 1992, and later incorporated into
the Rules of the House of Representatives adopted for the 103rd Congress, on January 5, 1993. In
the 104th Congress, the IG gained the authority to conduct additional audits that had previously
been the responsibility of the Government Accountability Office (then General Accounting
Office).53 The requirement for the submission of audits was amended in the 113th Congress to
include the House Appropriations Committee in the list of recipients.54 The IG is jointly
appointed by the Speaker, the majority leader, and the minority leader. The Committee on House
Administration provides oversight and policy direction.55
Office of Congressional Ethics
The House Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) was established on March 11, 2008, with the
passage of H.Res. 895 (110th Congress). It has been reauthorized in resolutions adopting the rules
for subsequent Congresses.56 The OCE’s primary responsibility is to conduct investigations
regarding al egations of misconduct against Members, officers, and staff of the House and to refer
matters, when appropriate, to the Committee on Ethics.57
The OCE is governed by a board. Three board members and an alternate are appointed by the
Speaker, after consultation with the minority leader. The minority leader appoints three board
members and an alternate, after consultation with the Speaker.
Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
Formerly the Office of Compliance, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights was renamed
by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (P.L. 115-397). The office was
original y established to enforce and administer the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
(CAA).58 The act, as amended, applies certain labor, civil rights, and workplace laws59 to

52 House Rule II, clause 6, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
53 House of Representatives Administrative Reform T echnical Corrections Act, P.L. 104-186, §204, August 20, 1996,
110 Stat. 1733.
54 House Rule II, clause 6, H.Res. 5 , 113th Cong., adopted January 3, 2013.
55 House Rule II, clause 6, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019. For further information, see the House IG’s
website, at http://www.house.gov/IG/.
56 For information on ethics, see CRS Report 98-15, House Committee on Ethics: A Brief History of Its Evolution and
Jurisdiction, by Jacob R. Straus: and CRS Report R40760, House Office of Congressional Ethics: History, Authority,
and Procedures, by Jacob R. Straus.
57 House Rule XI, clause 3, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
58 P.L. 104-1, Jan. 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 4; 2 U.S.C. §1301 et seq.
59 T he laws applied by the CAA include the following:
T he Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (P.L. 9 0-202, 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq.);
T he Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-336, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);
T itle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88 -352, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq.);
T he Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-347, 29 U.S.C. §2001 et seq.);
T he Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (52 Stat. 1060, 29 U.S.C. §201 et seq.);
T he Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-3, 29 U.S.C. §2611 et seq.);
Chapter 71 (relating to Federal service labor-management relations) of T itle 5 of the U.S. Code;
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legislative branch employees.60 The CAA covers employees working in district or state offices as
wel as those in Washington, DC. Certain entities may be exempt from specific provisions.
Under the Congressional Accountability Act, employing offices retain discretion over certain
workplace policies, including, for example, work schedules, salaries, and vacation. Employing
offices may also be subject to additional standards set by the House of Representatives, Senate,
civil service, or other internal authorities, as applicable.
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights provides a means of dispute resolution for
employees who al ege violations of the CAA.61
The House has also adopted related workplace employment requirements through resolution:
 H.Res. 630 (115th Congress), agreed to November 29, 2017, required each
Member, officer, and employee of the House to complete a program of training in
workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress.
 H.Res. 724 (115th Congress), agreed to February 6, 2018, required each
employing office of the House to adopt an antiharassment and antidiscrimination
policy for the office’s workplace and established the House Office of Employee
Advocacy.
 H.Res. 6 (116th Congress), agreed to January 9, 2019, contained four sections
related to workplace rights and remedies, including (1) limitations on
nondisclosure agreements, (2) requiring Members to reimburse the Treasury for
discrimination settlements, (3) continuing mandatory antiharassment and
antidiscrimination policies for House offices, and (4) requiring the display in
each House employing office of a statement of rights and protections provided to
House employees pursuant to the Congressional Accountability Act and
information on procedures for adjudicating violations.
A board of directors, composed of five individuals appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, and the minority leaders in both chambers,
oversees the office. The office is subject to the oversight of the Committee on House
Administration and by the Senate’s Committees on Rules and Administration and on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs.62
Office of General Counsel
House Rule II, clause 8 provides authorization for the Office of General Counsel. Led by the
General Counsel, this office provides legal assistance and representation to Members,

T he Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (P.L. 91 -596, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq.);
T he Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112, 29 U.S.C. §701 et seq.);
Chapter 43 (relating to veterans’ employment and reemployment) of T itle 38 of the U.S. Code;
T he Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ( P.L. 100-379, 29 U.S.C. §2101 et seq.).
T he CAA was amended in 1998 to include select provisions of the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act ( P.L. 105-
339; 2 U.S.C. §1316a).
60 T his definition includes employees of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Office of the Architect of the
Capitol, the Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of the Attending
Physician, and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. Certain provisions may apply to the Government
Accountability Office and the Library of Congress.
61 Available at https://www.ocwr.gov/rights-protections/how-get-help.
62 For additional information, see the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights website, at https://www.ocwr.gov/.
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committees, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives on matters pertaining to
their official duties. These may include advising offices on confidentiality issues, release of
constituent information, requests from executive branch agencies, and the issuance and response
to subpoenas. The services of the office are provided without regard to political affiliation.
Assistance to offices with employment and labor issues, however, fal s within the jurisdiction of
the Office of House Employment Counsel in the Office of the Clerk. Similarly, routine leasing
agreements for automobiles and district offices are reviewed by the Administrative Counsel
within the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.
The assistance of the office in responding to subpoenas received by Members or employees is
governed by House Rule VIII, which requires the recipient to notify the Speaker and
subsequently the House of any such action. The office may also assist in the preparation of
committee subpoenas.63
The General Counsel is authorized to appear before any court of the United States, with the
exception of the Supreme Court, “without compliance with any requirements for admission to
practice before such court.”64 The House may authorize the General Counsel to represent the
House or a House committee or take other action in a judicial proceeding (e.g., to represent the
House in connection with the filing of any amicus curiae brief).65 House Rule II, clause 8 was
amended in the 115th Congress to include language regarding the continuation of litigation
authorities from prior Congresses.66 The Attorney General is required to notify the General
Counsel of a determination not to appeal a court decision affecting the constitutionality of an
act.67
The office was first established by H.Res. 423, adopted April 9, 1992, and later incorporated into
the Rules of the House of Representatives adopted for the 103rd Congress, on January 5, 1993.68
The Speaker, with the consultation of the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, directs the office and
appoints its staff.69

63 For additional information, see CRS Report R45653, Congressional Subpoenas: Enforcing Executive Branch
Com pliance, by T odd Garvey.
64 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act FY2000, P.L. 106-57, §101, September 29, 1999, 113 Stat.414; 2 U.S.C.
§5571.
65 See authorizations in, for example, H.Res. 661 (116th Cong.); H.Res. 639 (114th Cong.); H.Res. 676 (113th Cong.);
H.Res. 706 (112th Cong.); H.Res. 980 (110th Cong.); and in resolutions adopting rules for the House (e.g., H.Res. 5,
113th Cong.; and, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong.)
66 See, for example, H.Res. 5, §3(f), 114th Cong.; and H.Res. 5, §2(h), 115th Cong.
67 2 U.S.C. §5571(b). See also 28 U.S.C. §530D.
68 Prior to the adoption of these resolutions, an Office of the General Counsel was located in the Office of the Clerk of
the House. See also https://ogc.house.gov/about/prior-general-counsels.
69 Pursuant to House Rule II, clause 8(b), the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group is “composed of the Speaker and the
majority and minority leaderships. Unless otherwise provided by the House, the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group
speaks for, and articulates the institutional position of, the House in all litigation matters.” Recent changes to this Rule
were included in Section 4(a)(1) of H.Res. 5, 113th Cong., adopted January 3, 2013; and in Section 2(b) of H.Res. 5,
114th Cong., adopted January 6, 2015.
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Offices Supporting Ceremonial Traditions and the
Preservation of Institutional Memory
A number of offices share responsibility for maintaining the ceremonial traditions of the U.S.
House of Representatives and the preservation of its institutional memory.
Clerk of the House
The Clerk of the House has a ceremonial role at the commencement of the first session of each
Congress. At this meeting, the Clerk examines credentials, cal s the roll, and records the presence
of al Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner. Pending the election of a Speaker,
the Clerk must also “preserve order and decorum and decide al questions of order, subject to
appeal.”70
The Clerk also has various curatorial duties concerning House artwork and artifacts, records
management, and historical publications.71
Under the direction of the House Fine Arts Board, the Clerk is “responsible for the
administration, maintenance, and display of the works of fine art and other property” of the
House of Representatives.72 The curatorial services division assists in this duty by recommending
acquisitions, maintaining artwork, and researching the collection.
The Clerk is also responsible for administering the archiving of records of the House of
Representatives and is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.73 The
Clerk’s office is available to consult with Members and committees on records management
practices. The purpose of these consultations is both to assist an office in its daily operations and
to help preserve historical y relevant documents. While the files generated by a Member’s
personal office are the property of the Member, committees are required to archive their official
records.74
Committee records requiring archiving include those relating to bil s and resolutions, oversight,
administrative matters, and file copies of reference materials, such as hearings and reports. House
Rule VII directs the Clerk to receive noncurrent records of each House committee at the end of
each Congress. More recent records remain onsite, and older records are transferred to the

70 House Rule II, clause 2, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
71 T hese functions were reorganized a few times in recent decades. Most recently, the Committee on House
Administration approved a reorganization on May 31, 2011, effective June 1, 2011, for an Office of Art and Archives
and Office of the Historian (U.S. Congress, House Committee on House Administration , Report on the Activities of the
Com m ittee on House Adm inistration of the House of Representatives, H.Rept. 112-137, 112th Cong., 2nd sess.
(Washington: GPO, 2011), p. 7).
72 T he House Fine Arts Board is comprised of the House of Representatives members of the Joint Committee on the
Library and is chaired by the chairman of the Committee on House Administration. P.L. 100-696, title X, §1001,
November 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4611; 2 U.S.C. §2121 and §2122.
73 T he Advisory Committee was created by the T reasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropr iations Act,
FY1991 (P.L. 101-509, November 5, 1009, 44 U.S.C. §2701). For additional information see
https://www.archives.gov/legislative/cla/advisory-committee. See also the Society of American Archivists
Congressional Papers Section, https://www2.archivists.org/groups/congressional-papers-section.
74 T he rules governing the eventual transfer of noncurrent committee records to the National Archives and Records
Administration were established in the Legislative Reorganizatio n Act of 1946, P.L. 79-601, §140; and the Federal
Records Act of 1950, P.L. 81-754, title V; 44 U.S.C. §2118 and 44 U.S.C. §2107.
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Archivist of the United States. These records are preserved in the Center for Legislative Archives
at the National Archives and Records Administration but remain the property of the House. The
Clerk authorizes the archivist to release documents for public examination according to the
guidelines established in the Rule. The Clerk has the authority to determine that release of a
record would be detrimental to the public interest or inconsistent with the rights and privileges of
the House. Although rare, if such a determination is made, the Clerk must notify in writing the
chairman and ranking minority Member of the Committee on House Administration, and the
decision is subject to subsequent House and committee orders. Committee chairs may submit a
list of staff members who are authorized to retrieve retired committee records.
Members may choose to transfer their personal records to a repository at the end of their service
in the House.75 In a records management guideline for Members, the Clerk has outlined factors to
consider when preparing a deed of gift and placing restrictions on access to materials. The Chief
Administrative Officer, under the direction of the Committee on House Administration, may
arrange for the transportation of these personal materials back to the Member’s district.76
The office also maintains the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. This source
al ows users to search Members from the Continental Congress through the present based on
criteria such as name, state, position, party, or time of service. The source also lists research
collections of the Member’s personal papers, if applicable. An online version is available at
http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp. Other historical publications, including
Women in Congress, Black Americans in Congress, Hispanic Americans in Congress, and Asian
and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress, are also produced by this office.
Sergeant at Arms
The House Sergeant at Arms is charged with maintaining the decorum of the chamber. The
Sergeant at Arms is the guardian of the Mace, an artifact that symbolizes his office. The Mace is
carried to a pedestal on the Speaker’s right at the beginning of each day. It remains there while
the House is in session and is lowered when the House resolves itself into the Committee of the
Whole. The Mace may be wielded by the Sergeant at Arms to maintain order and decorum in the
chamber.77
The Sergeant at Arms also assists in preparation for ceremonial occasions, including presidential
inaugurations, joint sessions and meetings of Congress, and visits of foreign dignitaries. When
necessary, the Sergeant at Arms assists in supervising funeral arrangements for Members of
Congress.
House Chaplain
With the exception of a period in the late 1850s, the House of Representatives has had an elected
chaplain since 1789. The House Chaplain offers a prayer to begin each day’s session, which is
followed by the approval of the Journal and the recitation of the Pledge of Al egiance.78 In

75 T he distinction between records that are personal property and those that are transferred to the National Archives was
reiterated in language added by H.Res. 5 (114th Cong.). See also H.Con.Res. 307 (110th Cong.).
76 H.Res. 1297, 95th Cong.; made permanent by the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY1983, P.L. 98-51,
§111, July 14, 1983; 2 U.S.C. §5346.
77 For more information, see https://history.house.gov/Blog/Detail/15032450168.
78 T he order and priority of business is governed by House Rule XIV, clause 1, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January
9, 2019. Approval of the Journal may be postponed under clause 8 of Rule XX.
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addition to offering his own prayers, the chaplain coordinates the visits of guest chaplains. These
guests are recommended to the House Chaplain by individual House Members. Prayers before the
House are printed in the Congressional Record.79
Historian of the House
House Rule II provides for the establishment of an Office of the Historian. The Historian and
other employees of the office are appointed by the Speaker.
A rule providing for the Historian was original y adopted during the 101st Congress.80 It had been
preceded by the Office of the Bicentennial, which coordinated the planning for the 200th
anniversary of the House.81
The Librarian of Congress was authorized by the History of the House Awareness and
Preservation Act of 1999 to arrange for a new history of the chamber, in consultation with the
Committee on House Administration.82 In 2002, Librarian of Congress James H. Bil ington
announced the appointment of Robert V. Remini as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar of American
History in the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress in order to undertake this
project.83 After a long vacancy in the position of House Historian, Dr. Remini was appointed by
the Speaker in 2005 to fil this role. Dr. Remini retired and Dr. Matthew Wasniewski was
announced as the new historian on October 20, 2010.84
Offices Assisting in Security and the Maintenance
of Order
The Capitol Police, under the direction of the Capitol Police Board, has been delegated primary
responsibility for security on Capitol Hil .85 The House and Senate Appropriations Committees
provide oversight of funding, administration, operations, and policies, with the Committee on
House Administration and the Speaker providing additional oversight on matters pertaining to the
House. Two other offices, including the House Sergeant at Arms and the Office of the Attending
Physician, work with the police to ensure the safety and comfort of Members, their staff, and
visitors.

79 For more information, see CRS Report R41807, House and Senate Chaplains: An Overview, by Ida A. Brudnick, and
the House Chaplain’s website, at http://chaplain.house.gov.
80 T his was found in the former clause 10 of Rule I (H.Res. 5, January 3, 1989).
81 T his office was first authorized by H.Res. 621, 97th Cong., December 17, 1982. T he Congressional Operations
Appropriation Act, FY1985, P.L. 98-367, established the office in law until it ceased to exist, which was mandated to
be no lat er than September 30, 1989. T his historian also is a member of the Advisory Committee on the Records of
Congress.
82 P.L. 106-99, November 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1330; 2 U.S.C. §183.
83 “Robert V. Remini to Write History of the House of Representatives,” News from the Library of Congress, Public
Affairs Office, September 23, 2002. On the website of the Library of Congress at http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2002/
02-124.html. See also: Robert V. Remini, The House (New York: Smithsonian Books in association with HarperCollins
Publishers, 2006).
84 For more information, see https://history.house.gov/.
85 60 Stat. 719, July 31, 1946; 2 U.S.C. §1961.
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Sergeant at Arms
Along with the Architect of the Capitol, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, and
the Chief of the Capitol Police (acting in an ex-officio, nonvoting capacity), the House Sergeant
at Arms provides guidance for security measures and policy across the Capitol by serving as a
member of the Capitol Police Board. The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY2003
redefined the board, stating that its purpose “is to oversee and support the Capitol Police in its
mission and to advance coordination between the Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms of the
House of Representatives and the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate, in their law
enforcement capacities, and the Congress.”86
The Office of the Sergeant at Arms coordinates daily security needs with the Capitol Police.
Duties include arranging for protective details for House leadership, requesting security
clearances for appropriate staff, coordinating a security presence at hearings upon request, and
supervising logistics for major events involving Members. The Sergeant at Arms also works with
Law Enforcement Coordinators (LECs) from each office.
The Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives is also required to “attend the House
during its sittings and maintain order under the direction of the Speaker or other presiding
officer.”87 This is a duty the Sergeant at Arms has executed since 1789. The Sergeant at Arms is
also charged with enforcing the rules of access to the Hall of the House as wel as the room above
it. Relatedly, the Sergeant at Arms “is authorized and directed to impose a fine against a Member,
Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for the use of an electronic device for stil photography
or for audio or visual recording or broadcasting in contravention of clause 5 of rule XVII and any
applicable Speaker’s announced policy on electronic devices.”88
Office of the Attending Physician
The Office of the Attending Physician provides emergency medical assistance for Members of
Congress, Justices of the Supreme Court, congressional staff, and visitors.89 Care may range from
performing minor first aid services to administering treatment until a patient may be transported
to a local hospital. The Office of the Attending Physician offers CPR and first aid courses and
arranges educational health fairs for congressional staff. The office also provides travel
immunization advice for official congressional travel.
The office also participates in the planning for, and response to, disasters that could affect the
congressional community.90 After the anthrax attacks in 2001, for example, the office coordinated
the testing and care of affected staffers.91 More recently, the Attending Physician has provided
information to the congressional community regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

86 P.L. 108-7, Division H, Legislative Branch Appropriations, §1014, February 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 361; 2 U.S.C.
§1901.
87 House Rule II, clause 3, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019.
88 House Rule II, clause 3, H.Res. 6, 116th Cong., adopted January 9, 2019. T his clause was added to the Rules of the
House pursuant to H.Res. 5, 115th Cong., adopted January 3, 2017.
89 For more information, see CRS Insight IN11390, Office of the Attending Physician, U.S. Congress: Background
Inform ation and Response to Public Health Em ergencies, by Ida A. Brudnick.
90 P.L. 108-199; 2 U.S.C. §4123.
91 H.Res. 536, 107th Cong., commended the Office of the Attending Physician, the Capitol Police, and others for their
efforts during t he anthrax attack.
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Members of Congress may also obtain additional services for an annual fee.92 Services include
routine exams, consultations, and certain diagnostic tests. The office does not provide vision or
dental care, and prescriptions may be written but not dispensed.
The office is led by a physician detailed from the U.S. Navy, a tradition begun in 1928.93
Expenses are provided for as a joint expense of the House and Senate in the annual Legislative
Branch Appropriations Acts. The FY2020 appropriations act specified varying al owances for the
Attending Physician, a Senior Medical Officer, three medical officers, and up to 13 additional
assistants. While these personnel remain on the payroll of the Navy, the annual legislative branch
bil s include a “reimbursement to the Department of the Navy for expenses incurred for staff and
equipment assigned to the Office of the Attending Physician,” a practice that began in 1975.94

Author Information

Ida A. Brudnick

Specialist on the Congress

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 n ot 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.

92 For House Members, authority for establishing fees was contained in the House Administrative Reform Resolution
of 1992 (H.Res. 423, 102nd Cong.). For Senators, this authority was contained in S.Res. 286 (102nd Cong.). See also 2
U.S.C. §4122 and §6515.
93 H.Res. 253, 70th Cong.
94 P.L. 94-32, June 12, 1975, 89 Stat. 185.
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