[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 1, Chapters 1 - 6]
[Chapter 4.  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 267]
 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds


[[Page 267]]



A. Introductory

    Sec. 1. In General; Care, Protection and Use
    Sec. 2. Demonstrations and Disturbances
    Sec. 3. Hall of the House
    Sec. 4. Admission to House Floor

B. House Galleries and Buildings

    Sec. 5. Galleries
    Sec. 6. Office Buildings



                          INDEX TO PRECEDENTS
                                     

Assignment of office suites to Members, Sec. 6.1
Chamber, photographs of, Sec. 3.5
    Chamber, use of, Sec. 3.1
    after adjournment, Sec. 3.3
Cloakroom, use of, Sec. 4.1
Floor privileges, Sec. 4.2
    during election contests, Sec. 4.5
    during joint sessions, Sec. 4.3
    for former Members, Sec. 4.7
    for recipients of congressional appreciation, Sec. 4.6
    for U.S. Senators, Sec. 4.8
    suspension of rule as to, Sec. 4.2
Gallery occupants, conduct of, Sec. 5.6
    sanctions against, Sec. 5.6
Gallery tickets, distribution of, Sec. 5.2
Hall, use of, for purposes of entertainment, Sec. 3.2
Joint sessions, floor privileges at, Sec. 4.3
Office suites, assignment of, Sec. 6.1
Protection of Capitol by federal troops, Sec. 1.2
Select committees, operation of House facility by, Sec. 1.1
Speaker's lobby, use of, Sec. 4.1
Visitors, Speaker's control over, Sec. 5.1
Visitors in galleries, making reference to, Sec. Sec. 5.3-5.5
Visitors in House office buildings, Sec. 6.2

[[Page 269]]



 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds
 
                            A. INTRODUCTORY
 
Sec. 1. In General; Care, Protection and Use



    The manner in which a particular facility of the House may be used 
is frequently regulated by a federal statute, federal judicial 
decision, House rule, or precedent of the House. The discussion in this 
chapter emphasizes those facilities that are regulated by one or more 
of the above. While the creation of several special select committees 
to oversee the management of certain designated House facilities is 
described below,(1) standing committee jurisdiction over the 
various House facilities is discussed elsewhere.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See Sec. 1.1, infra.
 2. See Ch. 17, infra.
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    Numerous statutory enactments(3) provide for the care, 
protection, and use of the Capitol building and grounds. The Architect 
of the Capitol(4) supervises the care and superintendence of 
the Capitol Building,(5) including care of the 
exterior,(6) repairs,(7) and in the House side of 
the Capitol the lighting, heating, and ventilating.(8) He 
also carries into effect the provision prohibiting the use of the 
Capitol rooms for private studios or works of art, without permission 
from the Joint Committee on the Library.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See 40 USC Sec. Sec. 161-217a.
 4. For a description of the powers and duties of the Architect of the 
        Capitol see 40 USC Sec. 162 (1970).
 5. 40 USC Sec. 163 (1970).
 6. 40 USC Sec. 163a (1970).
 7. 40 USC Sec. 166 (1970).
 8. 40 USC Sec. 167 (1970).
 9. 40 USC Sec. 190 (1970).
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    Privately-owned works of art may not be exhibited in Statuary Hall, 
the Rotunda, nor in the corridors of the Capitol. 40 USC Sec. 189 
(1970). National Statuary Hall, however, may be used for ceremonies 
when special permission is given by the Speaker. See Ch. 36, infra.
    The responsibility for policing the Capitol buildings and grounds 
is vested in the Capitol Police, under the direction of the Capitol 
Police Board.(10) On several ex

[[Page 270]]

traordinary occasions, however, Federal troops have been called to 
protect the Capitol.(11)
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10. 40 USC Sec. 212a (1970). The Capitol Police Board consists of the 
        Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate, the Sergeant at 
        Arms of the House of Representatives, and the Architect of the 
        Capitol. 40 USC Sec. 212a (1970).
11. See Sec. 1.2, infra.
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    The protection of the Capitol building and grounds(12) 
is regulated by statutory provisions(13) that limit the 
conduct and activities which are permitted to occur there. Public use 
of the Capitol grounds is generally confined to paved 
areas,(14) and the roads on the grounds may not be occupied 
in such manner as to obstruct or hinder their proper 
use.(15) Sales and solicitations are forbidden, as are 
advertising displays.(16) A provision also makes punishable 
climbing upon, removing or damaging any property or plant life on the 
Capitol grounds.(17) The unauthorized presence upon the 
floor of either House, in the gallery of either House, or in any room 
within any of the Capitol buildings designated for the use of any 
Member, committee, subcommittee, or employee of either House of 
Congress is statutorily prohibited.(18)
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12. The area comprising the Capitol grounds is described at 40 USC 
        Sec. 193a (1970).
13. 40 USC Sec. Sec. 193a-193m (1970).
14. 40 USC Sec. 193b (1970).
15. 40 USC Sec. 193c (1970).
16. 40 USC Sec. 193d (1970).
17. 40 USC Sec. 193e (1970).
18. 40 USC Sec. 193f(b)(1)-(3) (1970).
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Creation of Select Committees

Sec. 1.1 The House sometimes creates a special select committee to 
    manage or oversee the operation of a designated House facility.

    On Dec. 6, 1967,(19) the House adopted a resolution 
creating a select committee to manage the House Beauty Shop. The 
resolution vested complete managerial authority in the three-member 
committee, which was to be appointed by the Speaker. The select 
committee was made permanent by Pub. L. No. 91-145 (83 Stat. 347).
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19. 113 Cong Rec. 35143, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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    The House has adopted similar resolutions on several other 
occasions. In the 90th Congress(20) the House adopted a 
resolution creating a select committee to regulate parking on the House 
side of the Capitol. In the 91st Congress(1) the House 
established a select committee to oversee the management of the House 
Restaurant.(2)
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20. 113 Cong. Rec. 17791, 17792, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., June 28, 1967.
 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 19080, 19081, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., July 10, 1969.
 2. The responsibility for the management of the House Restaurant is, 
        by statute, vested in the Architect of the Capitol. 40 USC 
        Sec. 174k (1970). The Committee on House Administration has 
        jurisdiction of measures relating to the House Restaurant. Rule 
        XI clause 9(1), House Rules and Manual Sec. 693 (1973). The 
        Select Committee on the House Restaurant, which supervises the 
        operation of the restaurant, now operates under the authority 
        of the Committee on House Administration. House Rules and 
        Manual Sec. 695 (1973).

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[[Page 271]]

Protection of Capitol by Federal Troops

Sec. 1.2 Federal troops have been called upon to guard the Capitol and 
    its facilities on several extraordinary occasions.

    On Apr. 5, 1968, in response to the widespread civil disorder that 
arose in the District of Columbia following the assassination of Dr. 
Martin Luther King in Memphis, Tennessee, the preceding day, President 
Lyndon B. Johnson issued an executive order(3) authorizing 
the Secretary of Defense to mobilize National Guard Troops and to order 
regular armed forces into the District of Columbia to restore law and 
order, protect government property and prevent interference with 
governmental activities. The Capitol was one of the first areas secured 
when the troops arrived on Friday, Apr. 5. Troops remained on duty at 
the Capitol until Friday, Apr. 12, when they were withdrawn on order of 
the Secretary of Defense.
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 3. Executive Order No. 11403, 33 Fed. Reg. (1968).
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    The deployment of troops was in accordance with the Emergency Plan 
for Protection of the Capitol, which had been previously approved by 
the Speaker of the House and the Vice President of the United States. 
Specific authority was neither requested by nor received from the 
Speaker or other Capitol officials prior to the assignment of troops to 
guard the Capitol.
    On Feb. 25, 1943,(4) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, from 
the floor of the House, defended his policy of having the Capitol 
protected by federal soldiers for a time during World War II:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 89 Cong. Rec. 1324, 78th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Mr. Speaker, I am utterly amazed at my colleague from 
    Minnesota, a man usually of splendid judgment and absolute 
    fairness.
        We have on this hill $180,000,000 worth of property. . . .
        . . . It happens to be the business of the Speaker of the House 
    of Representatives to protect the property on this hill, and it 
    cannot be protected by a few Metropolitan Police. . . . [S]ome day 
    or some night somebody may come into this building and destroy a 
    million dollars worth of property. As long as I have the 
    responsibility, I am going to keep somebody here to protect these 
    buildings.

[[Page 272]]



 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds
 
                            A. INTRODUCTORY
 
Sec. 2. Demonstrations and Disturbances

    Federal statutory provisions(5) make violent, disorderly 
or disruptive acts in the Capitol building or on the Capitol grounds 
unlawful, as well as prohibiting all unauthorized demonstrations. The 
unauthorized possession or use on the Capitol grounds of any firearm, 
dangerous weapon, explosive, or incendiary device is 
unlawful.(6) The unauthorized presence of any person or any 
group of persons upon the floor or in the gallery of either House of 
Congress is a violation of federal statutory law, as is unauthorized 
presence in any room within any of the Capitol buildings set aside or 
designated for the use of either House of Congress or any Member, 
committee, subcommittee, officer, or employee of either House of 
Congress, with the intent to disrupt the orderly conduct of official 
business.(7) It is also unlawful to willfully and knowingly 
utter abusive language at any place upon the Capitol grounds with the 
intent to disturb the orderly conduct of any session of either House of 
Congress, including committee or subcommittee hearings; to impede 
passage through or within the Capitol grounds or Capitol buildings; to 
engage in any act of physical violence upon the Capitol grounds or 
within any of the Capitol buildings; or to parade, demonstrate, or 
picket within any of the Capitol buildings.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 40 USC Sec. Sec. 193f and 193g (1970).
 6. 40 USC Sec. 193f(a)(1) (1970).
 7. 40 USC Sec. 193f(b)(1)-(3) (1970).
 8. 40 USC Sec. 193f(b)(4)-(7) (1970).
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    On Nov. 6, 1972,(9) the Supreme Court ruled that section 
193g of title 40 unconstitutionally abridges the first amendment right 
to assemble and petition the government. Section 193g provides:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. Chief of Capitol Police v Jeannette Rankin Brigade, 409 U.S. 972 
        (Nov. 6, 1972).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        It is forbidden to parade, stand, or move in processions or 
    assemblages in said United States Capitol Grounds, or to display 
    therein any flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring 
    into public notice any party, organization, or movement, except as 
    hereinafter provided in sections 193j and 193k of this title.

Sections 193j and 193k provide that on ``proper occasions'' the 
prohibitions contained in sections 193b-193g may be suspended by the 
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, or in their 
absence by the Capitol Police Board.

    The Jeannette Rankin Brigade, a coalition of women against the

[[Page 273]]

war in Vietnam, and 58 individual women filed a complaint in the United 
States District Court for the District of Columbia on Jan. 8, 1968, 
following the refusal by the Capitol Police Board to permit them to 
carry out a planned march on the Capitol grounds to protest the war. 
The three-judge court balanced the plaintiffs' right to assemble and 
petition the government under the First Amendment against the interests 
of maintaining the serenity of the Capitol grounds and concluded:

        While some substantial governmental interests in the Capitol 
    Grounds may warrant protection, none have been alleged which are 
    sufficiently substantial to override the fundamental right to 
    petition ``in its classic form'' and to justify a blanket 
    prohibition of all assemblies, no matter how peaceful and orderly, 
    anywhere on the Capitol Grounds.(10)

10. Jeannette Rankin Brigade v Chief of Capitol Police, 342 F Supp 575, 
        585 (D.D.C. 1972).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The court refused to rewrite the provision to make it consistent 
with the First Amendment rights of the plaintiffs, stating that under 
the concepts embodied in the separation of powers doctrine, such a 
function is more appropriately to be performed by 
Congress.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 342 F SUPP at 587.
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    The defendants took a direct appeal from the decision of the 
District Court to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, acting without 
a hearing and with no written opinion, affirmed the decision of the 
District Court holding section 193g to be 
unconstitutional.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Chief of Capitol Police v Jeannette Rankin Brigade, 409 U.S. 972 
        (Nov. 6, 1972).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Mar. 1, 1954,(13) an extraordinary incident occurred 
in the House Chamber. A discharge of firearms from the House Gallery 
interrupted the counting of a division vote on a resolution relating to 
the supplying of agricultural workers from Mexico. Four Puerto Rican 
terrorists in Gallery Eleven fired an estimated 20 to 30 pistol shots 
downward into the crowd of Members on the floor. Five Members were 
wounded. All five of the wounded Members were discharged from the 
hospitals by the end of May, 1954.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 100 Cong. Rec. 2434, 83d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The four assailants were identified by police as belonging to the 
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. They were brought to trial in the U.S. 
District Court for the District of Columbia. Three of the four were 
sentenced to serve a total of from 25 to 75 years in prison, while the 
fourth was sentenced to serve from 16 years and months to 50 Years.

[[Page 274]]



 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds
 
                            A. INTRODUCTORY
 
Sec. 3. Hall of the House

    Under House Rule I clause 3, the Speaker has ``general control . . 
. of the Hall of the House.''(14) A more specific provision 
dealing with the use of the House Chamber, however, is Rule XXXI:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. House Rules and Manual Sec. 623 (1973).
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        The Hall of the House shall be used only for the legislative 
    business of the House and for the caucus meetings of its Members, 
    except upon occasions where the House by resolution agrees to take 
    a part in any ceremonies to be observed therein; and the Speaker 
    shall not entertain a motion for the suspension of this 
    Rule.(15)
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15. House Rules and Manual Sec. 918 (1973).
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    The House has been very reluctant to permit the Chamber to be used 
for other than legislative purposes. An occasion on which the House 
permitted the Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission to address the 
House, relative to the construction of the Panama Canal, was 
characterized as ``[a]n exceptional instance in which the Hall of the 
House was used for other than legislative business.'' 8 Cannon's 
Precedents Sec. 3632.
    Members may not entertain guests in the Hall,(16) but 
caucus meetings of Members are sometimes held in the Chamber, as Rule 
XXXI specifically authorizes them.(17) Occasionally the 
House votes to participate in ceremonies to be held in the 
Hall.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Sec. 3.2, infra.
17. Sec. 3.1, infra.
18. See Ch. 36, infra.
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    It is in violation of the common law of the House for a visitor, 
without authorization, to photograph the House Chamber.(19) 
However, the House, by resolution, sometimes permits special groups, 
such as historical societies, to photograph the House in 
session,(20) and the Speaker usually permits a photograph of 
the House in session to be taken on the first day of each 
Congress.(1)
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19. See Sec. 3.5, infra.
   It is not necessary, however, to clear the gallery when one visitor 
        is violating the rules by taking pictures. The Speaker may 
        order the offending party to leave the gallery. See Sec. 5.7, 
        infra.
20. See Sec. 3.5, infra.
 1. See Sec. 3.5, infra.
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Use of House Chamber

Sec. 3.1 The House Chamber is occasionally used for certain meetings of 
    Members.

    On Jan. 10, 1947,(2) an announcement was made in the 
House concerning a meeting to be

[[Page 275]]

held in the House Chamber for the veterans of all wars who were Members 
of the House at that time. The stated purpose of the meeting was the 
reorganization of a veterans' group, and this meeting, as well as all 
future ones, was to be nonpolitical, social, and educational in 
character.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 93 Cong. Rec. 255, 80th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Sec. 3.2 Permission to use the Hall of the House for purposes of 
    entertainment will ordinarily be refused.

    On Feb. 14, 1955,(3) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
after reading the text of Rule XXXI, made the following remarks 
concerning the use of the Hall of the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 101 Cong. Rec. 1512, 84th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        A great many Members have asked the Parliamentarian and the 
    present occupant of the chair about the use of the Hall of the 
    House of Representatives. At any time in the future when any Member 
    desires to entertain a group except Members of the House of 
    Representatives it will be held that the caucus room is open for 
    that purpose, but not the Hall of the House of Representatives.

    On June 18, 1934,(4) the House adopted a resolution 
forbidding certain entertainment, which was to be broadcast over radio, 
to be held in the House Chamber immediately after the adjournment of 
Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 78 Cong. Rec. 12567, 73d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 3.3 The House controls the use of its Chamber even after it 
    adjourns for a session.

    On June 18, 1934,(5) a resolution was introduced to 
prevent the use of the House Chamber after the adjournment of Congress 
for certain entertainment which was to be broadcast over radio. A 
Member then raised the point of order that the resolution was not 
privileged, because it was contemplated that the entertainment would be 
held after the adjournment of the House. The Speaker(6) 
rendered the following ruling on the point of order:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. Id.
 6. Henry T. Rainey (Ill.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The object of the resolution is to reach something which might 
    occur after the adjournment of the House, but the Chair thinks it 
    is a close question. The House controls the use of its own Chamber 
    even after it adjourns; therefore the Chair prefers to submit the 
    question to the House.

    The previous question was then ordered, and the resolution was 
agreed to.

Sec. 3.4 On one occasion the House authorized a special group to use 
    the House Chamber when the House was not in session.

[[Page 276]]

    On Aug. 1, 1953,(7) the House by unanimous consent 
considered and adopted the following resolution:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 99 Cong. Rec. 10917, 83d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Resolved, That the consent of the House is hereby granted for 
    the use by the Interparliamentary Union of the Hall of the House of 
    Representatives, and such committee rooms in the Capitol and the 
    House Office Buildings as the Speaker may direct, for its session 
    in the year 1953, during the month of October: Provided, however, 
    That this consent shall not be binding if the Congress shall be in 
    session when the said Interparliamentary Union shall convene: And 
    provided further, That such use shall be subject to the control and 
    management of the officers of the House.

Photographing the House Chamber

Sec. 3.5 Visitors may not, without authorization, photograph the House 
    Chamber.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Under the practice of the House, permission 
must be obtained before photographs may be taken inside the House 
Chamber. Permission may take the form of a House resolution similar to 
the one which permitted the United States Capitol Historical Society to 
photograph the House in session.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. See 110 Cong. Rec. 3224, 88th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 20, 1964.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Speaker traditionally permits certain photographers to take 
photographs at the opening session of each new Congress, provided that 
they do so in accordance with carefully drawn guidelines. Occasionally 
members of the news media have violated these guidelines. At the 
opening session of the 91st Congress, members of the news media 
violated the restrictions by taking pictures during the period when the 
kleig lights were turned out. Speaker McCormack called this matter to 
the attention of the news media galleries and requested a report from 
each on the action taken by them with respect to the violations of the 
regulations as well as the provisions they were making to prevent such 
violations in the future.(9)
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 9. See the statement by Speaker John W. McCormack (Mass.) at 115 Cong. 
        Rec. 145, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Jan. 14, 1946, photographers violated the guidelines by taking a 
picture of the House in session before the initial quorum call. The 
photograph, showing approximately 60 Members present in the Chamber, 
was published in newspapers throughout the country, along with a 
caption berating Congress for not attending to duties at the beginning 
of the ses

[[Page 277]]

sion. See the statement by Speaker pro tempore John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, at 92 Cong. Rec. 20, 79th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 14, 1946.



 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds
 
                            A. INTRODUCTORY
 
Sec. 4. Admission to House Floor

    House Rule XXXII clause 1(10) enumerates those persons 
entitled to be admitted to the floor or rooms leading 
thereto,(11) while the House is in session:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. House Rules and Manual Sec. 919 (1973).
11. See Sec. 4.1, infra.
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        1. The persons hereinafter named, and none other, shall be 
    admitted to the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto, viz: 
    The President and Vice President of the United States and their 
    private secretaries, judges of the Supreme Court, Members of 
    Congress and Members-elect, contestants in election cases during 
    the pendency of their cases in the House, the Secretary and 
    Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, heads of departments, foreign 
    ministers, governors of States, the Architect of the Capitol, the 
    Librarian of Congress and his assistant in charge of the Law 
    Library, the Resident Commissioner to the United States from Puerto 
    Rico, each Delegate to the House, such persons as have, by name, 
    received the thanks of Congress, ex-Members of the House of 
    Representatives who are not interested in any claim or directly in 
    any bill pending before Congress, elected officers and elected 
    minority employees of the House (other than Members), the 
    Parliamentarian and former Parliamentarians of the House, former 
    elected officers and former elected minority employees of the House 
    (other than ex-Members) who are not interested in any claim or 
    directly in any bill pending before Congress, and clerks of 
    committees when business from their committee is under 
    consideration; and it shall not be in order for the Speaker to 
    entertain a request for the suspension of this rule or to present 
    from the chair the request of any Member for unanimous consent.

Rule XXXII clause 2 sets forth the conditions under which persons may 
be admitted to the floor when the House is not in session:

        There shall be excluded at all times from the Hall of the House 
    of Representatives and the cloakrooms all persons not entitled to 
    the privilege of the floor during the session, except that until 
    fifteen minutes of the hour of the meeting of the House persons 
    employed in its service, accredited members of the press entitled 
    to admission to the press gallery, and other persons on request of 
    Members, by card or in writing, may be admitted.
The provision that prohibits the Speaker(12) from 
entertaining a request for the suspension of Rule XXXII has been 
rigidly enforced during regular sessions.(13)
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12. This provision in Rule XXXII clause 1 is equally applicable to the 
        Chairman of the Committee of the Whole. 5 Hinds' Precedents 
        Sec. 7285.
13. See Sec. 4.2, infra; 5 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 7284.

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[[Page 278]]

    On the occasion of ceremonies, however, the provision is construed 
more broadly.(14)
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14. Illustrative of this point is an occurrence described in 5 Hinds' 
        Precedents Sec. 7290. On Dec. 19, 1894, Speaker Charles F. 
        Crisp (Ga.) submitted a unanimous-consent request that a State 
        Governor and his staff be admitted to the floor during a 
        ceremony the following day, despite the provision in Rule XXXII 
        that prohibits submission of such requests. The Speaker 
        considered the rule to apply only when the House was engaged in 
        the transaction of ordinary business.
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    At joint meetings of Congress, although Rule XXXII is observed, it 
is recognized under the customs and practices of the House that one of 
the purposes of a joint meeting is to permit selected people who do not 
have floor privileges to come upon the floor.(15)
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15. See Sec. 4.4, infra. But see 5 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 9272, which 
        states that the rule relating to admission to the floor does 
        not apply to joint sessions of the two Houses.
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    Several of the classes of persons entitled to floor privileges 
under Rule XXXII have been further defined in rulings by the Chair. 
``Contestants'' in election contests have been granted the privilege of 
the House floor even though they were not themselves candidates in the 
general election.(16) A concurrent resolution expressing the 
thanks of Congress does not entitle the recipient to floor privileges 
under Rule XXXII. The expression of thanks must be in the form of an 
act of Congress,(17) and the recipient must be 
named.(18) The type of interest in the legislation under 
consideration that is sufficient to disqualify an ex-Member from the 
privilege of the floor has been interpreted on several 
occasions.(19)
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16. See Sec. 4.5, infra.
17. See Sec. 4.6, infra.
18. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3638.
19. Speaker Sam Rayburn (Tex.) held that employment by an organization 
        with a direct interest in the legislation under consideration 
        was sufficient. For an interpretation of this provision by a 
        committee of Congress, see 5 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 7289.
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    The rule has been interpreted so as to exclude from the privilege 
of the floor clerks other than those employed by the committee in 
charge of the bill under consideration.(20) Similarly, floor 
privileges are not extended to employees of

[[Page 279]]

an executive department who have assisted the committee in the 
preparation of the bill under consideration.(1) United 
States Senators have been held not to possess the privilege of 
addressing the House, although they may be present on the House 
floor.(2)
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20. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3636.
                 Rule XXXII, which permits clerks of committees access 
        to the floor during the consideration of business from their 
        committee, has been interpreted by the Speaker to allow only a 
        limited number of clerks on the floor at one time. 118 Cong. 
        Rec. 20318, 92d Cong. 2d Sess., June 8, 1972.
 1. 6 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 579.
 2. See Sec. 4.8, infra.
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    In addition to the floor privileges granted under Rule XXXII, 
certain representatives of the press and broadcast media may be 
admitted to the floor under House Rule XXXIV:

        2. . . . [A]nd the Speaker may assign one seat on the floor to 
    Associated Press reporters and one to United Press International, 
    and regulate the occupation of the same. And the Speaker may admit 
    to the floor, under such regulations as he may prescribe, one 
    additional representative of each press association.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. House Rules and Manual Sec. 930a (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        3. . . . [A]nd the Speaker may admit to the floor, under such 
    regulations as he may prescribe, one representative of the National 
    Broadcasting Company, one of the Columbia Broadcasting System, one 
    of the Mutual Broadcasting System, and one of the American 
    Broadcasting Company.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. Id.
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    The House may grant to someone not entitled to floor privileges 
under the House rules the rare honor of special admission to the 
privileges of the floor for a regular session of the House. This has 
been done, however, only on several early occasions.(5)
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 5. On Feb. 10, 1870, the privileges of the floor for a day were 
        extended to John Kitts, a Revolutionary War soldier, who had 
        seen the surrender of Cornwallis. 5 Hinds' Precedents 
        Sec. 7293. On Jan. 8, 1844, the House extended the privileges 
        of the floor to the widow of President Madison. 5 Hinds' 
        Precedents Sec. 7081.
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    The Doorkeeper, as part of his general duties,(6) 
enforces strictly the rules relating to the privileges of the Hall of 
the House(7) and allows no person to enter the room over the 
Hall while the House is in session.(8)
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 6. For a more detailed discussion of the duties of the Doorkeeper, see 
        Ch. 6, infra.
 7. Rule V clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 651 (1973).
 8. Rule V clause 2, House Rules and Manual Sec. 653 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    He also sees that the floor is cleared of all persons without floor 
privileges 15 minutes before each meeting of the House and for 10 
minutes after adjournment.(9)
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 9. Rule V clause 2, House Rules and Manual Sec. 653 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An alleged violation of the rules relating to admission to the 
floor presents a question of privilege.(10)
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10. 6 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 579.3 Hinds' Precedents Sec. Sec. 2624-
        25.

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[[Page 280]]

                          -------------------Rooms Adjacent to Floor

Sec. 4.1 Persons who are not entitled to floor privileges under Rule 
    XXXII may not be admitted to the ``Hall of the House or rooms 
    leading thereto,'' which include the cloakroom and the Speaker's 
    lobby.

    On Oct. 2, 1945,(11) the following proceedings occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 91 Cong. Rec. 9251, 79th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Frank B.] Keefe [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker:(12) The gentleman will state it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Keefe: Mr. Speaker, rule XXXII of the Rules of the House of 
    Representatives reads, in part:

            The persons hereinafter named and none other shall be 
        admitted to the halls of the House or rooms leading thereto. . 
        . .

        . . . [D]oes the language ``or rooms leading thereto'' include 
    the lobby and reading room adjacent to the House floor?
        The Speaker: The Chair may say to the gentleman from Wisconsin 
    [Mr. Keefe] that the present occupant of the Chair has always been 
    very jealous of all the rules of the House, and especially this 
    one.
        The Chair thinks that no person who is not named in the rule 
    should have the privilege of the floor of the House of 
    Representatives or to the cloakroom or to the Speaker's lobby, so-
    called, where Members and the newspaper folk and others that are 
    privileged to be in there confer.

Suspension of Rule Relative to Floor Privileges

Sec. 4.2 The Chair may not entertain a request to suspend Rule XXXII, 
    which enumerates those persons entitled to admission to the House 
    floor.

    On Mar. 25, 1940,(13) prior to the consideration of a 
bill to provide revenue for the District of Columbia, the following 
unanimous-consent request was made:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 86 Cong. Rec. 3359, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Jack] Nichols [of Oklahoma]: . . . First, Mr. Speaker, I 
    ask unanimous consent that an expert who has aided this committee 
    in the preparation of this bill be permitted to sit at the 
    committee table.
        Mr. [Joseph W.] Martin [Jr.] of Massachusetts: Reserving the 
    right to object, Mr. Speaker, I am afraid this would be 
    establishing quite a precedent. It is contrary to the rules of the 
    House.
        Mr. Nichols: I may say to the gentleman from Massachusetts that 
    when similar bills were considered on two previous occasions on the 
    floor of the House the same request was made and agreed to. 
    Certainly there is precedent for such action in the House.
        The Speaker:(14) The Chair observes that under the 
    rules the Chair cannot entertain such a request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  William B. Bankhead (Ala.).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 281]]

        Mr. Nichols: Similar requests have been submitted and granted 
    when previous tax bills have been under consideration, Mr. Speaker.
        The Speaker: Rule XXXIII [now Rule XXXII], which enumerates 
    those persons entitled to the floor, provides, in part, as follows:

            It shall not be in order for the Speaker to entertain a 
        request for the suspension of this rule or to present from the 
        Chair the request of any Member for unanimous consent.

        This is the general rule relating to admission to the floor of 
    the House.
        Of course, personally, the Chair has no feeling in the matter. 
    Although it may have been done heretofore, the attention of the 
    Chair was not called to it.

Joint Sessions of Congress

Sec. 4.3 Prior to a scheduled joint meeting of Congress, the Speaker 
    frequently announces that only persons with floor privileges will 
    be admitted to the floor during the joint meeting.

    The following announcement, made by Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, on Jan. 10, 1967,(15) is typical:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 113 Cong. Rec. 34, 35, 90th Cong. 1st Sess. For further 
        illustrations see 111 Cong. Rec. 27, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 
        4, 1965; 107 Cong. Rec. 1340, 87th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 26, 
        1961; 97 Cong. Rec. 4072, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Apr. 18, 1951.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair desires to make an announcement.
        After consultation with the majority and minority leaders, and 
    with their consent and approval, the Chair announces that at the 
    time set for the joint session to hear an address by the President 
    of the United States, only the doors immediately opposite the 
    Speaker and those on his left and right will be open. No one will 
    be allowed on the floor of the House who does not have the 
    privileges of the floor of the House. The Chair suggests that ex-
    Members of the House seat themselves in the folding chairs so that 
    sitting Members may find their accustomed places in the Chamber.

    Parliamentarian's Note: On Apr. 14, 1948, Speaker Joseph W. Martin, 
Jr., of Massachusetts, addressed a letter to all Members of the House 
suggesting that they refrain from attempting to bring children or 
relatives on the floor, during the upcoming celebration of the 50th 
anniversary of the liberation of Cuba.

Sec. 4.4 Although Rule XXXII, which enumerates those persons entitled 
    to floor privileges, is observed at joint meetings of Congress, it 
    is recognized that under the customs and practices of the House, 
    one of the purposes of a joint meeting is to permit people who do 
    not have the privilege of the floor to come upon the floor.

[[Page 282]]

    On Feb. 24, 1970,(16) the following parliamentary 
inquiry was raised:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 116 Cong. Rec. 4546, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Bertram L.] Podell [of New York]: Mr. Speaker, I should 
    like to make a parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker:(17) The gentleman will state his 
    parliamentary inquiry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Podell: I should like to know whether or not on tomorrow, 
    at 12:30, during the address by President Pompidou to the joint 
    meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, whether 
    Rule 32 of the Rules of the House of Representatives relating to 
    admissions to the floor will be recognized, or whether those rules 
    will be suspended?
        The Speaker: The answer to that is that the rule will be 
    recognized, but the purpose of the joint meeting is to receive the 
    visitor who will come to the House Chamber. The Chair will follow 
    the rules of the House.
        Mr. Podell: Mr. Speaker, a further parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Podell: I should like to know whether or not rule 32, which 
    relates to the restriction of those people to be admitted to the 
    floor, will be observed tomorrow, or whether it will be suspended 
    because it is a joint meeting or because the House is in recess?
        The Speaker: The Chair will state that one of the purposes of a 
    joint meeting is to permit people who do not have the privilege of 
    the floor to come upon the floor.
        Mr. Podell: . . . I shall read to you [rule] 32 of the Rules of 
    the House of Representatives relating to admission to the floor.
        The persons hereinafter named, and none other, shall be 
    admitted to the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto, viz: 
    The President and Vice President of the United States and their 
    private secretaries, judges of the Supreme Court, Members of 
    Congress and Members-elect. . . .
        It continues on with a few more categories, and it says that no 
    other person shall be admitted to the floor and the Speaker may not 
    request such permission under the appropriate provisions.
        The Speaker: In further response to the gentleman's inquiry, 
    the Chair will follow the customs and the practices of the House 
    when there is a joint meeting taking place.

Contestants in Election Contests

Sec. 4.5 On one occasion challengers in an election contest were 
    considered to be ``contestants'' who were entitled to floor 
    privileges pursuant to Rule XXXII during the pendency of their 
    case, even though they had not been candidates in the election in 
    which the sitting Members were re-elected.

    Parliamentarian's Note: On Sept. 16, 1965, three of the five 
representatives of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party who

[[Page 283]]

were contesting the re-election of the five sitting Members of the 
House from Mississippi, requested permission from the Speaker to be 
present on the floor the following day for the debate relative to their 
cases. Under Rule XXXII, ``contestants in election cases during the 
pendency of their cases in the House''(18) are entitled to 
floor privileges. Since none of the challengers had been actual 
candidates in the congressional elections the previous November, 
however, their status as ``contestants'' within the meaning of Rule 
XXXII was in doubt. The challengers had been defeated in the Democratic 
primary, and state law had not permitted them to be candidates in the 
general election. They alleged that the State of Mississippi had 
systematically excluded blacks from the electoral process, and that the 
election was therefore without constitutional validity. The 
Speaker(19) noting that both the resolution dismissing the 
election contests (H. Res. 585) and the report of the Committee on 
House Administration (H. Rept. No. 1008, 89th Cong. 1st Sess. [1965]), 
referred to the petitioners as contestants, ruled that they were 
``contestants'' within the meaning of Rule XXXII, and were therefore 
entitled to be present on the floor during the consideration of their 
challenges.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Rule XXXII clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 919 (1973).
19. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
20. For a Member's statement during the debate on the resolution 
        dismissing the election contests acknowledging the presence of 
        the three contestants on the floor, see 111 Cong. Rec. 24267, 
        24268, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Sept. 17, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recipients of Congressional Appreciation

Sec. 4.6 A concurrent resolution expressing the thanks of Congress, 
    because it is not an act of Congress, is not sufficient to bestow 
    floor privileges, under Rule XXXII.

    Parliamentarian's Note: The House, on July 20, 1962,(1) 
and the Senate, three days later,(2) passed a concurrent 
resolution (H. Con. Res. 347) expressing the thanks of Congress to 
General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. In response to an informal 
inquiry, the Parliamentarian, on Aug. 10, 1962, informed a Member that 
while Rule XXXII extends floor privileges to ``such persons as have, by 
name, received the

[[Page 284]]

thanks of Congress,''(3) the concurrent resolution passed in 
favor of General MacArthur was not an act of Congress and did not 
bestow the privilege.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 108 Cong. Rec. 14329, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
 2. 108 Cong. Rec. 14528, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., July 23, 1962.
 3. Rule XXXII clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 919 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ex-Members of the House

Sec. 4.7 An ex-Member who has a direct interest in a bill pending 
    before Congress or who is in the employ of an organization with 
    such an interest may not enjoy the privilege of the floor during 
    pendency thereof that is normally afforded ex-Members by Rule 
    XXXII.

    On Oct. 1, 1945, a former Member, Winder Harris, was present at the 
majority table while the House was considering a ship-sales bill. 
[Parliamentarian's Note: Winder Harris was at the time an officer in a 
ship-building firm.] The following day,(4) the propriety of 
his presence was questioned:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 91 Cong. Rec. 9251, 79th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 2, 1945.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Frank B.] Keefe [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker:(5) The gentleman will state it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Keefe: Mr. Speaker, rule XXXII of the Rules of the House of 
    Representatives reads, in part:

            The persons hereinafter named and none other shall be 
        admitted to the halls of the House or rooms leading thereto.

    Then follows a list of those permitted, including:

            Ex-Members of the House of Representatives who are not 
        interested in any claim or directly in any bill pending before 
        the Congress.

        . . . [D]oes the quoted rule bar from the halls of the House or 
    rooms leading thereto ex-Members of Congress who are in the employ 
    of organizations, corporations, or individuals that have a direct 
    interest in the defeat or passage of a bill pending and under 
    debate in the House?
        The Speaker: The Chair may say to the gentleman from Wisconsin 
    [Mr. Keefe] that the present occupant of the chair has always been 
    very jealous of all the rules of the House, and especially this 
    one. The Chair thinks that not even an ex-Member of Congress when 
    he has a bill he is personally interested in that is coming up for 
    consideration in the House nor any ex-Member of the House who is in 
    the employ of an organization that has legislation before the 
    Congress should be allowed the privilege of the House or the rooms 
    that . . . constitute a part of the House of Representatives.

United States Senators

Sec. 4.8 Since United States Senators have the privilege of the floor, 
    but not the privilege of addressing the House, the Speaker will not 
    recognize a Member who wishes to

[[Page 285]]

    request unanimous consent for consideration of a resolution 
    inviting Members of the Senate to address the House; such a 
    resolution will be referred to the proper committee.

    On Oct. 11, 1943,(6) after several Members expressed a 
desire that the House invite five Members of the Senate, who had just 
returned from the war fronts to address the House, Speaker Sam Rayburn, 
of Texas, made a statement on the subject, which was followed by 
several clarifying parliamentary inquiries:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 89 Cong. Rec. 8197, 8198, 78th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Chair does not intend to recognize a Member to ask 
    unanimous consent for the present consideration of a resolution 
    inviting Senators to address the House in open or executive 
    session, because the Chair thinks that is tantamount to an 
    amendment to the rules of the House and, therefore, is a matter for 
    the House to determine. If resolutions like that are introduced, 
    they will be sent to the proper committee.
        Mr. [John E.] Rankin [of Mississippi]: A parliamentary inquiry, 
    Mr. Speaker.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Rankin: Of course, the Speaker has a right to refuse to 
    recognize me for that purpose, but I think if the Speaker will 
    investigate the rules he will find that we have a right to invite 
    those men to come here to address the Members in the House.
        The Speaker: The Chair has already investigated that and finds 
    it is otherwise. Members of the Senate have the privilege of the 
    floor, but they do not have the privilege of addressing the House 
    of Representatives.
        Mr. [Clare E.] Hoffman [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Hoffman: Would it be within the rules to have a recess, as 
    we do when foreign potentates and rulers come here, and have the 
    Senators come over and talk to us?
        The Speaker: If the House stands in recess at that time.



 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds
 
                    B. HOUSE GALLERIES AND BUILDINGS
 
Sec. 5. Galleries


    The House rules vest in the Speaker control over the galleries in 
the House Chamber. Under Rule XXXII(7) the Speaker is 
responsible for assigning sections of the galleries. He sets aside a 
portion of the West Gallery for the President of the United States,

[[Page 286]]

cabinet members, Supreme Court Justices, foreign ministers and suites, 
and their respective families and another portion for persons to be 
admitted on the card of Members. The southerly half of the East Gallery 
is assigned for the use of Members' families. Representatives of the 
press(8) and broadcast media(9) are each entitled 
to have a portion of the gallery set aside for their use, subject to 
such regulations as the Speaker may prescribe. Supervision of these two 
portions of the gallery, including the designation of employees, is 
vested respectively in a standing committee of press correspondents and 
a second committee, the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television 
Correspondents' Gallery. Both of these committees, however, are subject 
to the direction and control of the Speaker.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. House Rules and Manual Sec. 922 (1973).
 8. Rule XXXII, House Rules and Manual Sec. 922 (1973).
 9. Rule XXXIV clause 3, House Rules and Manual Sec. 930a (1973).
10. Rule XXXIV clauses 2 and 3, House Rules and Manual Sec. Sec. 930 
        and 930a (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Speaker, when he deems it necessary to protect the Members' and 
the Houses' facilities, may order special admission cards for the 
galleries or a search of visitors.(11) As part of his 
regular duties under Rule I,(12) the Speaker preserves order 
and decorum in the galleries, and in the case of disturbance or 
disorderly conduct, he may order the galleries cleared.(13) 
When the House has resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole, the 
Chairman may exercise similar power in preserving order in the 
galleries.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. See Sec. 5.1, infra.
12. House Rules and Manual Sec. Sec. 621-634 (1973).
13. Rule I clause 2, House Rules and Manual Sec. 622 (1973).
14. Rule XXIII clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 861 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Doorkeeper frequently distributes tickets for admission to the 
galleries on special occasions.(15) Sometimes the House, by 
resolution, makes a special rule for admission to the galleries on the 
occasion of the electoral count(16) or some other occurrence 
of great interest.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See Sec. 5.2, infra.
16. 3 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 1961.
17. 5 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 7033.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule XIV clause 8(18) prohibits a Member, while the 
House is in session, from introducing to or bringing to the attention 
of the House any occupant in the galleries. The Speaker may not 
entertain a request for the suspension of this rule by unanimous 
consent or otherwise, (19) and if it

[[Page 287]]

is violated without objection from the other Members present in the 
Chamber, he will invoke it on his own initiative.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. House Rules and Manual Sec. 764 (1973).
19. Rule XIV clause 8, House Rules and Manual Sec. 764 (1973).
20. See Sec. 5.3, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The rules and practices of the House do not permit visitors in the 
galleries to manifest their approval or disapproval of the proceedings 
on the floor by applause or otherwise.(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See Sec. 5.6, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On occasions when circumstances have warranted it, announcements by 
the Chair admonishing visitors in the galleries not to applaud have 
usually been sufficient to restore order.(2) Under the 
customs and practices of the House, a visitor in the galleries may not, 
without authorization, photograph the House Chamber.(3) The 
Speaker may find that it is not necessary to clear the galleries when 
one visitor is violating the rule. He may just order the offending 
party to leave the House Chamber.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. See Sec. 5.6, infra
 3. See Sec. 3.5, supra.
 4. See Sec. 5.7, infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Speaker's Control Over Admission of Visitors

Sec. 5.1 When the Speaker's responsibility to protect the Members and 
    the facilities require it, he may order special admission cards for 
    the galleries or a search of visitors.

    On Feb. 23, 1942,(5) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, set 
forth the reasons for ordering the issuance of new gallery admission 
cards and the search of visitors entering the galleries:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 88 Cong. Rec. 1524, 77th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: One of the responsibilities of the Speakership is 
    the protection of the Members and the places in which they work. 
    This responsibility, of course, is a little more anxious one right 
    now than in ordinary times, and anything that is done or any 
    regulation that is issued is issued after the best and most 
    competent advice the Speaker is able to get.
        Some time ago cards were issued and no one was allowed to come 
    into the gallery without one. These cards have been outstanding for 
    some time, and I am sorry to say they have been widely distributed, 
    many of them mailed to distant points in the country. The Chair and 
    those who advise him have decided that it is best to revoke all 
    outstanding cards of admission to the galleries. New cards have 
    been printed and will be distributed to the Members today and 
    tomorrow, as the cards to the gallery outstanding will not be 
    honored after Wednesday morning. . . .
        Another thing that those who advise me think is highly 
    advisable is that

[[Page 288]]

    the people entering any of the galleries, except the Members' 
    gallery, submit themselves to search. This is thought wise and 
    judicious by men who will be in the Capitol and who will be 
    competent for the work.
        I hope this may not seem too irksome to some of our people who 
    may come to Washington. I am willing to take this responsibility 
    for the reason that if a mishap occurs around the Capitol somebody 
    has got to take the responsibility, and I am willing to share my 
    part of it. So I hope the cards that will be issued in lieu of 
    those outstanding may be handed in Washington to visitors and 
    constituents of yours and not be mailed around the country.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Following the shooting which occurred in 
the House Chamber on Mar. 1, 1954,(6) the Speaker canceled 
all outstanding gallery admission cards, effective the day following 
the shooting. New cards were printed for distribution the following 
day, with a request being made to all Members by the Speaker that 
gallery cards be issued only to persons who could be vouched for by 
each Member issuing the new cards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. See Sec. 2, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Distribution of Gallery Tickets for Special Occasions

Sec. 5.2 The distribution of tickets for seats in the gallery for 
    special occasions is the responsibility of the Doorkeeper of the 
    House.

    On Feb. 28, 1945,(7) a Member on the minority side made 
an inquiry of the Chair concerning the allocation of gallery tickets 
for an upcoming joint session of Congress. The Member alleged that the 
majority generally receives all of the approximately 100 tickets that 
remain after each Member of the House and Senate receives one ticket. 
In response, the Speaker pro tempore(8) declared that the 
tickets are distributed in a proper and equitable way, and stated that 
the matter was the responsibility of the Doorkeeper.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 91 Cong. Rec. 1594, 1595, 79th Cong. 1st Sess.
 8. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reference by Members to Visitors Present in Galleries

Sec. 5.3 It is a violation of Rule XIV clause 8 to introduce or call 
    attention to anyone in the galleries, and the Speaker, on his own 
    initiative, will invoke this provision.

    On Apr. 16, 1940,(9) the following proceedings occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 86 Cong. Rec. 4589, 76th Cong. 3d Sess. For further examples see 
        110 Cong. Rec. 2264, 88th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 6, 1964; 109 
        Cong. Rec. 10157, 10158, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., June 4, 1963; 
        100 Cong. Rec. 12253, 83d Cong. 2d Sess., July 27, 1954.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 289]]

        Mr. [Bernard J.] Gehrmann [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Speaker, I am 
    very proud to be able to announce that there are two children in 
    the gallery----
        The Speaker Pro Tempore:(10) The gentleman from 
    Wisconsin will suspend. The Chair calls the gentleman's attention 
    to the fact that it is a violation of the rules of the House for a 
    Member on the floor to introduce anyone in the gallery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gehrmann: Mr. Speaker, I beg the Chair's pardon, but I am 
    not introducing them. I just want to say that there are two 
    children who were stranded in Finland in the war zone. They got out 
    of there just before----
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman's remarks are still a 
    violation of the rules of the House.
        Mr. Gehrmann: Mr. Speaker, it would seem that the extraordinary 
    occasion, the fact that the State Department interested itself----
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The time of the gentleman from 
    Wisconsin has expired.

    Parliamentarian's Note: On several occasions,(11) a 
Member. in violation of Rule XIV clause 8,(12) has called 
the presence of certain visitors in the gallery to the attention of the 
House. The remarks were made without objection by other Members present 
in the Chamber, and the Speaker(13) did not invoke the rule 
because at the time he was engaged in conversation at the rostrum and 
was unable to hear the remarks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 111 Cong. Rec. 6022, 6023, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 25, 1965; 111 
        Cong. Rec. 5637, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 23, 1965.
12. House Rules and Manual Sec. 764 (1973).
13. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 5.4 It is not in order under Rule XIV clause 8 to refer to 
    visitors in the galleries, even with permission to proceed out of 
    order.

    On July 27, 1954,(14) a Member attempted to direct the 
attention of the House to a French nurse, a heroine of the Battle of 
Dien Bien Phu, who was seated in the gallery:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 100 Cong. Rec. 12253, 83d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Walter H.] Judd [of Minnesota]: Mr. Chairman, I appreciate 
    the gentleman's courtesy in permitting this short interlude. One of 
    the things that always thrills everybody in the world is courage 
    and devotion to duty, especially when under most trying and 
    dangerous circumstances. I appreciate the opportunity to call 
    attention to the presence in our gallery----
        The Chairman:(15) The gentleman from Minnesota will 
    suspend. The Chair regrets extremely----
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Benjamin F. James (Pa.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Judd: Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to proceed out 
    of order.
        The Chairman: The gentleman may not proceed out of order for 
    the pur

[[Page 290]]

    pose [for] which he manifestly intends to use the time. The Chair 
    regrets extremely that he must so hold under the rules of procedure 
    of the House. We are all conscious of the great heroism of the 
    person to whom the Chair knows that the gentleman wishes to allude, 
    but it is a matter of extreme regret that because of the rules of 
    the House, reference may not be made to anyone in the gallery.

Sec. 5.5 It is a violation of Rule XIV clause 8 for a Member to insert 
    in the Congressional Record a reference to visitors present in the 
    galleries.

    Parliamentarian's Note: On June 13, 1968,(16) a Member 
was given permission to address the House for one minute and revise and 
extend his remarks. In revising his statement for the Congressional 
Record, he inserted a reference to visitors who had been present in the 
galleries, and sent the statement directly to the Government Printing 
Office instead of returning it to the Official Reporters of Debate. The 
Government Printing Office was advised to contact the Official 
Reporters of Debate or the Parliamentarian in the event similar 
violations of the rules are attempted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 114 Cong. Rec. 17062, 90th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conduct of Gallery Occupants; Sanctions

Sec. 5.6 Under the rules and practices of the House visitors in the 
    galleries may not manifest their approval or disapproval of 
    proceedings on the floor by applause or otherwise.

    On occasion it has become necessary for the Chair to admonish 
guests in the galleries that they must maintain order and refrain from 
manifestations of approval or disapproval of the proceedings on the 
floor.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. See, e.g., 111; Cong. Rec. 27449, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Aug. 5, 
        1970; 116 Cong. Rec. 14449, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., May 6, 1970; 
        112 Cong. Rec. 16837, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., July 25, 1966.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following statement made by the Chairman of the Committee of 
the Whole, Chet Holifield, of California, on July 31, 
1969,(18) is typical:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 115 Cong. Rec. 21634, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Chair will state that visitors in the gallery are guests of 
    the House of Representatives. Under the rules and practices of the 
    House of Representatives, visitors in the gallery are not permitted 
    to make undue noise or to applaud or to in any way show their 
    pleasure or displeasure as to the actions of the Members of the 
    House.

Sec. 5.7 It is not necessary to clear the gallery when one visitor is 
    violating the rules by taking pictures; the Speaker may order the 
    of

[[Page 291]]

    fending party to leave the gallery.

    On Feb. 22, 1950,(19) a visitor with a camera was 
detected in the gallery:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 96 Cong. Rec. 2152, 81st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker:(20) The Chair understands there is a 
    camera in the gallery. Whoever has that camera will remove the 
    camera or remove themselves and the camera immediately. That is a 
    violation of the rules of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John E.] Rankin [of Mississippi]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry. In that case, it is not the rule to clear 
    the gallery?
        The Speaker: Not necessarily.
        Mr. Rankin: To clear them of those who are violating the law.
        The Speaker: The Chair has just made that suggestion.



 
                               CHAPTER 4
 
                  House Facilities and Capitol Grounds
 
                    B. HOUSE GALLERIES AND BUILDINGS
 
Sec. 6. Office Buildings

    The House office buildings are under the control and supervision of 
the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the approval and direction of 
the House Office Building Commission.(1) The commission 
consists of the Speaker and two Members appointed by the 
Speaker.(2) The commission is authorized to prescribe rules 
and regulations governing the use and occupancy of rooms in the House 
office buildings.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 40 USC Sec. 175 (1970).
 2. 40 USC Sec. 175 (1970). Under 40 USC Sec. 176 (1970), the Speaker 
        continues as a member of the commission until his successor as 
        Speaker is elected or his term as a Representative in Congress 
        expires.
 3. 40 USC Sec. 175 (1970). Section 183 of title 40 provides that the 
        assignment and reassignment of rooms and other space in the 
        House office buildings shall be subject to the control of the 
        House by rule, resolution, order, or otherwise, and that 
        nothing in sections 177-184 of title 40 (discussed below) shall 
        be construed to affect or repeal the provisions of section 175 
        of the same title, which places the House office buildings 
        under the control of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to 
        the approval and direction of the House Office Building 
        Commission.
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    The procedure for the assignment of rooms in the House office 
buildings is provided by statute(4) and by rules adopted by 
the House Office Building Commission.(5) Section 178 of 
title 40 provides that the assignment of vacant offices will be based 
on written requests filed by Members or Members-elect. If only one such 
request has been made for a particular vacant office, it will be 
assigned as requested. If two or more Members request the same vacant 
office, preference will be

[[Page 292]]

given to the one ``who has been longest in continuous service as a 
Member and Member-elect of the House.''(6) If two or more 
Representatives with equal periods of continuous service, or two or 
more Representatives-elect request the same vacant office, preference 
will be given to the one who first files a request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 40 USC Sec. Sec. 177-184 (1970).
 5. House Rules and Manual Sec. 985 (1971).
 6. For an interpretation of the term ``continuous service,'' see 
        Sec. 6.1. infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Representative or Representative-elect may not have pending at 
the same time more than one request under section 178 for a vacant 
room, but he may withdraw a request at anytime.(7) A Member 
will be deemed to have relinquished the room previously assigned to him 
when he is assigned a new room upon his request, or is appointed 
chairman of a committee having a committee room.(8) 
Representatives may exchange rooms with each other, but the exchange 
will be valid only so long as both remain Members or Members-elect of 
the House.(9) Records of room assignments, exchanges and 
requests, which are kept by the Architect of the Capitol, are open for 
the inspection of Members.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 40 USC Sec. 179 (1970).
 8. 40 USC Sec. 179 (1970).
 9. 40 USC Sec. 180 (1970).
10. 40 USC Sec. 181 (1970).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The House Office Building Commission has adopted rules of procedure 
for the assignment of vacant offices that are designed to clarify the 
statutory procedures defined in section 178 of title 40.(11) 
Under these provisions, if an office becomes vacant during a session of 
Congress, applications for the vacancy will be received for a period of 
10 days. The system of priority established in section 178 is generally 
applicable, in addition to a provision that would establish priority by 
lot in the event that applications are received at the same time from 
Members with equal periods of service. Applications from re-elected 
Members and former Members who wish to change offices at the beginning 
of a new Congress are received between the Monday following election 
day on the even years and Dec. 1. The seniority provisions of section 
178 again establish priority. On Dec. 5, Members-elect without prior 
service, or their representatives, draw numbers to determine the order 
of se

[[Page 293]]

lection-of the remaining offices. Those who do not participate in the 
drawing must file written applications for the offices that remain 
unassigned after the conclusion of the drawing. Members of Congress who 
will not be Members of the succeeding Congress must vacate their 
offices by 12 o'clock noon on January 1 before the new Congress 
convenes.
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11. The rules are reprinted in House Rules and Manual Sec. 985 (1973). 
        In 1968 the commission promulgated a similar set of rules based 
        on seniority to govern the assignment of remodeled rooms in the 
        Cannon House Office Building. See 114 Cong. Rec. 22155, 90th 
        Cong. 2d Sess., July 18, 1968.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is provided by statute that unoccupied space in the House office 
buildings shall be assigned by the Architect of the Capitol under the 
direction of the commission and subject to the control of the House of 
Representatives. 40 USC Sec. 184 (1970).

    The commission also adopts rules regulating conduct of persons 
within the House office buildings, House garages, and the Capitol power 
plant. For example, on Aug. 26, 1965, the commission promulgated rules 
which, among other things, regulated soliciting and the taking of 
photographs within the House office buildings and related 
facilities.(12)
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12. 111 Cong. Rec. 23926, 23927, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Sept. 15, 1965. 
        The regulations make subject to arrest and prosecution those 
        persons who fail to comply with the above provisions, or with 
        those sections which prohibit damaging public property, 
        possessing weapons and explosives, creating disturbances, or 
        obstructing any area covered by the regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At one time,(13) the seniority of a Member for the 
purpose of room assignment dated from the beginning of his last 
uninterrupted service regardless of previous terms of membership in the 
House. This interpretation of ``continuous service'', which was 
rendered on Feb. 8, 1930, by Speaker Nicholas Longworth, of Ohio, as 
Chairman of the House Office Building Commission, was changed by the 
commission on Feb. 27, 1967. Under this current ruling, a Member who 
has had more than one period of uninterrupted service is entitled to 
have his longest period of uninterrupted service used in determining 
room assignment priority, even if it is not his last such 
period.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3651.
14. See Sec. 6.1, infra.                          -------------------
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Assignment of Office Suites to Members

Sec. 6.1 If two or more Members request the same office suite, 
    preference will be given to the Member with a longest period of 
    uninterrupted service, even if it is not his latest period of 
    service.

    On Mar. 2, 1967,(15) Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massa

[[Page 294]]

chusetts, as Chairman of the House Office Building Commission, 
announced the rule of the commission concerning the computation of 
seniority, as it relates to the selection and assignment of office 
space:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 113 Cong. Rec. 5218, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, for the information of the Members, 
    I include an action recently taken by the House Office Building 
    Commission:

                  Assignment of Rooms, House Office Buildings

        In connection with assignment of rooms to Members of the House 
    of Representatives in the House Office Buildings, 40 U.S.C. 178 
    provides, in part, as follows:
        If two or more requests are made for the same vacant room, 
    preference shall be given to the Representative making the request 
    who has been longest in continuous service as a Member and Member-
    elect of the House of Representatives.
        The question was raised before the House Office Building 
    Commission as to whether the wording ``longest continuous service'' 
    should refer to any period of continuous service whether or not 
    such continuous service occurred before or after a break in service 
    in the House.
        At a meeting of February 27, 1967, the House Office Building 
    Commission unanimously ruled on this point, as follows:
        ``The term `longest continuous service' as used in 40 U.S.C. 
    178, governing seniority in assignment of rooms in the House Office 
    Buildings, is held to refer to the longest period of uninterrupted 
    service as a Member and Member-elect of the House of 
    Representatives (not necessarily the last period of uninterrupted 
    service as held in Cannon's Precedents, Vol. 8, Page 981, Sec. 
    3651).''
        This ruling is effective February 27, 1967 and is being 
    submitted as a matter of record for the information of all Members 
    of the House of Representatives.

Visitors in House Office Buildings

Sec. 6.2 The House Office Building Commission has jurisdiction over 
    matters relating to the harassment of visitors in the House office 
    buildings.

    On May 3, 1935,(16) a parliamentary inquiry was raised 
concerning the jurisdiction of and the rules adopted by the commission:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 79 Cong. Rec. 6894, 74th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Thomas L.] Blanton [of Texas]: Mr. Speaker, may I propound 
    a parliamentary inquiry?
        The Speaker:(17) The gentleman will state it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Joseph W. Byrns (Tenn.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Blanton: The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the 
    Chairman of the House Office Building Commission in charge of the 
    House Office Building and which controls these office buildings.
        I would like to ask the Speaker if there are any means that a 
    Member

[[Page 295]]

    has, under the regulations prescribed by the Commission governing 
    these buildings, to prevent a Washington newspaper from installing 
    a snooper at his office to interrogate and harass every person that 
    goes in or comes out of a Member's office in that Government 
    building?
        The Speaker: The Commission is composed of 3 Members and the 
    Speaker is only 1 of the 3. I would be pleased if the gentleman 
    would take the matter up with the Commission as a whole. We will be 
    very pleased to give the gentleman a hearing and discuss the matter 
    with him.

Rules and Regulations as to Use

Sec. 6.3 Rules and regulations governing the House office buildings 
    have been adopted by the House Office Building Commission.

    On Mar. 5, 1973, the House Office Building Commission adopted the 
following rules:

        Pursuant to the authority conferred on the House Office 
    Building Commission by the act of March 4, 1907 (34 Stat. 1365, as 
    amended (40 U.S.C. 175)) the following rules and regulations are 
    promulgated governing the use and occupancy of rooms and spaces, 
    including all terraces, entrances, lobbies, foyers, corridors, 
    cafeterias, restaurants and areas appurtenant thereto, in the 
    Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn House Office Buildings, in the House 
    Annex, the House of Representatives garages, and the Capitol Power 
    Plant:
        (1) Property damage: Willful destruction, damage, desecration 
    or removal of any Government property or part thereof is 
    prohibited.
        (2) Photographs: Photographing, televising, recording, or 
    broadcasting of committee proceedings is not permitted, except as 
    provided for by the Rules of the House. Visitors are permitted to 
    take photographs of the public areas in the House office buildings 
    with handheld cameras if the photographs are not intended for 
    commercial purposes. The use of flash equipment or other special 
    photolighting devices, tripods, or other bulky accessory equipment 
    is not permitted unless special permission is obtained from the 
    House Office Building Commission. Applications for such special 
    permission should be made to the Speaker.
        (3) Soliciting, commercial ventures, and other nongovernmental 
    activities: The soliciting of alms and contributions, commercial 
    soliciting, and vending of all kinds, the display or distribution 
    of commercial advertising, the collecting of private debts, or the 
    distribution of material such as pamphlets, handbills, and flyers, 
    in any of the areas covered by these regulations is prohibited. 
    This section does not apply to national or local drives for funds 
    for welfare, health, and other purposes sponsored or approved by 
    the House Office Building Commission, or to personal notices posted 
    by employees on authorized bulletin boards.
        (4) Weapons and explosives: No person, except members of the 
    Capitol Police and individuals authorized by law, shall enter any 
    of the areas covered by these regulations who has in his 
    possession, either openly or concealed, any dangerous or deadly 
    weapon, explosive,

[[Page 296]]

    incendiary, or electronic device, and the use or discharge thereof 
    is prohibited.
        (5) Disturbances: The making or any harangue, oration, or the 
    utterance of any loud, threatening, or abusive language or sound, 
    or the use of any device which emits any loud, threatening, or 
    abusive language or sound, is prohibited.
        (6) Obstruction: It is forbidden to parade, stand, or move in 
    processions or assemblages, or to obstruct the foyers, corridors, 
    rooms or other areas covered by these regulations, or to display 
    therein any flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring 
    into public notice any person, party, organization, or movement.
        (7) Compliance with regulations: Persons entering, in, or on 
    the areas covered by these regulations shall comply with all 
    official signs of a prohibitory or directory nature, and, during 
    emergencies, with directions of the Capitol Police or other 
    authorized authority.
        (8) Enforcement of regulations: It shall be the duty of all 
    persons employed in the service of the Governmcnt in the House 
    Office Buildings to prevent, as far as may be in their power, 
    violations of these regulations, and to aid the Capitol Police and 
    other authorized authority, by information or otherwise, in 
    securing the apprehension of persons violating these regulations.
        Any person who fails or refuses to comply with these 
    regulations, or who fails or refuses to comply with directives of 
    the Capitol Police or other authorized personnel, shall be subject 
    to arrest and prosecution.