[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 114th Congress]
[114th Congress]
[House Document 113-181]
[Rules of the House of Representatives]
[Pages 358-378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


 
                                 Rule II


Elections
                      other officers and officials


[[Page 359]]

Sergeant-at-Arms, a Chief Administrative Officer, and a Chaplain. Each 
of these officers shall take an oath to support the Constitution of the 
United States, and for the true and faithful exercise of the duties of 
the office to the best of the knowledge and ability of the officer, and 
to keep the secrets of the House. Each of these officers shall appoint 
all of the employees of the department concerned provided for by law. 
The Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer may be 
removed by the House or by the Speaker.



640. Election, oath, and removal of officers.

  1.  There 
shall be elected at the commencement of each Congress, to continue in 
office until their successors are chosen and qualified, a Clerk, a


  When the House recodified its rules, it consolidated former rules II 
through VII, former clauses 10 and 11 of rule I, former clause 6 of rule 
XIII, and former clause 5 of rule XVI under rule II (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). A rudimentary form of this clause was adopted in 1789, and 
was amended several times before 1880, when it assumed the form it 
retained for more than a century (I, 187). During the 102d Congress, the 
House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 amended the clause to 
abolish the Office of the Postmaster (see Sec. 668, infra) and to 
empower the Speaker to remove certain elected officers (H. Res. 423, 
Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9039). The 104th Congress made conforming changes to 
the clause to reflect the abolishment of the Office of the Doorkeeper 
and the establishment of an elected Chief Administrative Officer (sec. 
201(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). Clerical and stylistic changes 
were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). Gender-based references were 
eliminated in the 111th Congress (sec. 2(l), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 
7). For a discussion of the former Office of the Doorkeeper, see 
Sec. 663a, infra; and for a discussion of the evolution of the Chief 
Administrative Officer (an elected officer) from the former Director of 
Non-legislative and Financial Services (an officer appointed jointly by 
the Speaker and the Majority and Minority Leaders under clause 1 of rule 
VI of the 103d Congress), see Sec. 664, infra.


[[Page 360]]

vote is required for the election of officers of both Houses of Congress 
(VI, 23). The oath is administered by the Speaker to the officers (I, 
81; Sec. 198, supra). The requirement that the officers be sworn to keep 
the secrets of the House had become obsolete (I, 187), but the 104th 
Congress adopted a requirement that Members, officers, and employees 
subscribe an oath of secrecy regarding classified information (clause 13 
of rule XXIII). Clause 4(d)(1)(A) of rule X requires the Committee on 
House Administration to provide policy direction for, and oversight of, 
the Chief Administrative Officer and the Inspector General, and 
oversight of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms (see Sec. 752, infra).
  The House having discarded a theory that the rules might be imposed by 
one House on its successor (V, 6743-6745), it follows that this clause 
is not operative at the organization before the rules are adopted. 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, the House 
was required under former rule II to elect its Speaker and other 
officers by a viva voce vote following nominations (I, 204, 208). 
However, the officers mentioned in the rule, other than Speaker, were, 
even then, usually chosen by resolution, which is not a viva voce 
election (I, 193, 194). A majority


Clerk
  The House has declined to interfere with the Clerk's power of removing 
subordinates (I, 249). Employees under the Clerk and other officers are 
to be assigned only the duties for which they are appointed (V, 7232). 
The Sergeant-at-Arms having died, the Clerk was elected by the House to 
serve temporarily also as Sergeant-at-Arms without additional 
compensation (July 8, 1953, p. 8242). The Legislative Reorganization Act 
of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 5501) authorizes the Speaker to fill temporary 
vacancies in the offices of Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief 
Administrative Officer, and Chaplain. A former version of the Act also 
permitted temporary appointments to the former offices of Doorkeeper and 
Postmaster. The Speaker has exercised the authority to fill temporary 
vacancies in the offices of Sergeant-at-Arms (Jan. 6, 1954, p. 8; June 
30, 1972, p. 23665; Feb. 28, 1980, p. 4350; and Mar. 12, 1992, p. 5519), 
Clerk (Nov. 15, 1975, p. 36901; Jan. 6, 1999, p. 257; Nov. 18, 2005, p. 
27489), Chaplain (Mar. 14, 1966, p. 5712; Mar. 23, 2000, p. 3481), 
Doorkeeper (Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41855), and Chief Administrative Officer 
(Jan. 9, 1997, p. 279; July 15, 2010, p. 13111). A resolution electing a 
House officer is presented as a question of privilege (July 31, 1997, p. 
17021; Speaker Hastert, Dec. 6, 2005, p. 27569; May 25, 2011, p. 7885; 
Jan. 7, 2014, p. _) even when prospective (Feb. 6, 2007, p. 3156). The 
resignation of an elected officer of the House is subject to acceptance 
by the House (Mar. 23, 2000, p. 3480; Feb. 6, 2007, p. 3156) and may be 
prospective (July 15, 2010, pp. 13110, 13111) or retroactive (May 25, 
2011, pp. 7884, 7885).


[[Page 361]]

tempore, the Clerk shall preserve order and decorum and decide all 
questions of order, subject to appeal by a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner.



641. Clerk; commencement of first session.

  2.  (a) At the 
commencement of the first session of each Congress, the Clerk shall call 
the Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioner to order and proceed 
to record their presence by States in alphabetical order, either by call 
of the roll or by use of the electronic voting system. Pending the 
election of a Speaker or Speaker pro


  In 1880 several rules, adopted at different periods from 1794 to 1846, 
were consolidated into this clause, which, before the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, was found in rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. 47). Paragraph (a) was initially framed in 1880, on a basis 
furnished by a rule of 1860 (I, 64), and amended in 1911.



Sec. 642. Other duties of the Clerk.

  Various  administrative 
duties, similar to those specified in this clause, are imposed on the 
Clerk by law (I, 253; Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, 60 Stat. 
812); and the law also requires the furnishing of stationery, blank 
books, etc., to the committees and officers of the House (V, 7322); to 
exercise discretionary authority as to reprinting of bills and documents 
(V, 7319); and to receive the testimony taken in election contests (I, 
703, 705; see also Federal Contested Election Act, P.L. 91-138, 83 Stat. 
284). Instance of Clerk serving temporarily also as Sergeant-at-Arms 
(July 8, 1953, p. 8242).




Sec. 643. Clerk's duties at organization.

  As  rules are not 
usually adopted until after the election of the Speaker, this paragraph 
is not in force at the time of organization of a new House. The 
procedure at organization does, however, follow a practice conforming to 
the terms of the paragraph (I, 81), although the House may depart from 
it. For a discussion of procedure in the House before the adoption of 
rules, including the procedure by which the Clerk conducts the election 
of the Speaker, see Sec. Sec. 27, 60, supra. The Clerk, in presiding 
before the election of the Speaker, recognizes Members (I, 74). The 
Members-elect have on one occasion, before the election of the Speaker 
or adoption of rules, authorized the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms of the 
last House to preserve order (I, 101).


  Although the Speaker ceases to be an officer of the House with the 
expiration of a Congress, the Clerk, by old usage, continues in a new 
Congress (I, 187, 188, 235, 244).-


[[Page 362]]

roll (I, 19-24). The House has declined to permit enrollment by the 
Clerk to be final as to prima facie right (I, 376, 589, 592).


Sec. 644. The roll of Memberselect.

  The  roll of Members is 
made up by the Clerk from the credentials, in accordance with a 
provision of law (I, 14-62; VI, 2; 2 U.S.C. 26). A certificate of 
election in due form having been filed, the Clerk placed the name of the 
Member-elect on the roll, although he was subsequently advised that a 
State Supreme Court had issued a writ restraining the Secretary of State 
from issuing such certificate (Jan. 3, 1949, p. 8). The call of the roll 
may not be interrupted, especially by one not on that roll (I, 84), and 
a person not on the roll may not be recognized (I, 86). A motion to 
proceed to the election of the Speaker is of higher privilege than a 
motion to correct the




Sec. 645. Clerk as presiding officer at 
organizations.

  In  early years the authority of the Clerk to decide 
questions of order pending the election of a Speaker was questioned (I, 
65). The Clerks often declined to make decisions (I, 68-72; V, 5325). 
However, in 1855 and 1997 the Clerk decided a question of order; and in 
1997 the Clerk was sustained on appeal (I, 91; Jan. 7, 1997, pp. 115, 
116). During the existence of a rule that applied the rules of a prior 
House to a successor House (1860 through 1890) (I, 64; V, 6743-6747) the 
Clerks made several rulings (I, 76, 77; VI, 623).


  Before clause 8(b)(3) of rule I, this clause operated also in the case 
of a vacancy in the Office of the Speaker arising during a Congress. For 
example, upon the death of the Speaker during an adjournment sine die of 
the first session of the 87th Congress, the Clerk called the House to 
order on the first day of the second session (Jan. 10, 1962, p. 5). 
However, clause 8(b)(3) of rule I now requires the Speaker to deliver to 
the Clerk a list of Members in the order in which each shall act as 
Speaker pro tempore in the case of a vacancy.


  The Clerk having died, and in the absence of the Sergeant-at-Arms, the 
Doorkeeper of the 79th Congress presided at organization of the 80th 
Congress (Jan. 3, 1947, p. 33). The Clerk, having been appointed 
pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 5501 by the previous Speaker at the end of the 
105th Congress to fill a vacancy caused by resignation of the Clerk 
elected for that Congress, presided at the organization of the 106th 
Congress (Jan. 6, 1999, p. 41).




Sec. 646. Clerk furnishes a list of reports.

  (b)  At the 
commencement of every regular session of Congress, the Clerk shall make 
and cause to be delivered to each Member, Delegate, and the Resident 
Commissioner a list of the reports that any officer or Department is 
required to make to Congress, citing the law or resolution in which the 
requirement may be contained and placing under the name of each officer 
the list of reports required to be made by such officer.



[[Page 363]]

reference was eliminated in the 111th Congress (sec. 2(l), H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7).

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2 of rule II (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). The paragraph was initially adopted in 1822 (I, 252). It 
was amended in the 107th Congress to permit the Clerk to publish the 
list in a form other than printed (sec. 2(a), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2001, 
p. 25). A gender-based

  (c) The Clerk shall--



Sec. 647. Clerk's duty as to Journal and 
documents.

      (1) note  all questions of order, with the decisions thereon, the 
record of which shall be appended to the Journal of each session;


      (2) enter on the Journal the hour at which the House adjourns;

      (3) complete the distribution of the Journal to Members, 
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner, together with an accurate and 
complete index, as soon as possible after the close of a session; and


      (4) send a copy of the Journal to the executive of and to each 
branch of the legislature of every State as may be requested by such 
State officials.



[[Page 364]]


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph (except subparagraph (2)) was found in former clause 3 of rule 
III (I, 251); and subparagraph (2) was found in former clause 5 of rule 
XVI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). Subparagraph (2) was adopted 
initially in 1837 and amended in 1880 (V, 6740). Former provisions 
directing the Clerk to make all contracts, keep contingent and 
stationery accounts, and pay officers and employees were stricken by the 
House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d Cong., 
Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9050) to relieve the Clerk of functions to be 
transferred to the Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services 
pursuant to that resolution (see Sec. 664, infra). Clerical corrections 
were effected at the beginning of the 104th Congress (sec. 223(f), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 469) and the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). During the 104th Congress the requirement to send a 
printed copy of the Journal to each branch of every State legislature 
was changed to an authorization to send such copies on request (H. Res. 
254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. 35077). Subparagraphs (3) and (4) were amended in 
the 107th Congress to permit the Clerk to publish the Journal in a form 
other than printed (sec. 2(a), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2001, p. 25).



Sec. 648. Attests and seals process and certifies 
passage of bills; oversees engrossment and enrollment process.

  (d)(1)  The 
Clerk shall attest and affix the seal of the House to all writs, 
warrants, and subpoenas issued by order of the House and certify the 
passage of all bills and joint resolutions.



  (2) The Clerk shall examine all bills, amendments, and joint 
resolutions after passage by the House and, in cooperation with the 
Senate, examine all bills and joint resolutions that have passed both 
Houses to see that they are correctly enrolled and forthwith present 
those bills and joint resolutions that originated in the House to the 
President in person after their signature by the Speaker and the 
President of the Senate, and report to the House the fact and date of 
their presentment.

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
subparagraph (1) was found in former clause 3 of rule III (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). When the House issues an order or warrant, the 
Speaker must issue the summons under the Speaker's hand and seal, and it 
must be attested by the Clerk; but when the power is granted to a 
committee to send for persons and papers under clause 2(m) of rule XI, a 
summons signed by the chair of the committee is sufficient (III, 1668).

  The enrollment process was originally the responsibility of the 
Committee on Enrolled Bills, which was created in 1789 by a joint rule 
of the two Houses (IV, 4350). This joint rule lapsed in 1876 with other 
joint rules, but in 1880 the Rules of the House were amended to again 
recognize the Committee on Enrolled Bills (IV, 4350, 4416; VII, 2099). 
Responsibility for the engrossment and enrollment process was given to 
the Committee on House Administration when that committee was created 
effective January 2, 1947 as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act 
of 1946 (60 Stat. 812) as an enumerated subject of legislative 
jurisdiction. That responsibility was transferred from the committee's 
legislative jurisdiction to its special oversight jurisdiction (see 
former clause 4(d)(1)(A) of rule X) by the Committee Reform Amendments 
of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470) and was transferred to the Clerk in the 107th Congress 
(sec. 2(b), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2001, p. 28).


[[Page 365]]

of a given contingency does not violate subparagraph (2) (Apr. 13, 2011, 
p. 5873).

  A special order of business reported by the Committee on Rules 
directing the Clerk to refrain from certifying an enrollment pending the 
resolution




Sec. 649. Calendars distributed.

  (e)  The Clerk shall cause 
the calendars of the House to be distributed each legislative day.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraph 
(e) was found in former clause 6 of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. 47). This paragraph was adopted initially in the 62d Congress, April 
5, 1911 (VI, 743), and amended December 8, 1931 (pp. 10, 83). It was 
amended in the 107th Congress to permit the Clerk to publish the 
calendars in a form other than printed (sec. 2(a), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
2001, p. 25).

  (f) The Clerk shall--



Sec. 650. Documents.

      (1) retain  in the library at the 
Office of the Clerk for the use of the Members, Delegates, Resident 
Commissioner, and officers of the House, and not to be withdrawn 
therefrom, two copies of all the books and printed documents deposited 
there; and



      (2) deliver to any Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner 
an extra copy of each document requested by that Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner that has been printed by order of either House of 
Congress in any Congress in which the Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner served.



[[Page 366]]


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (c) and (f) were found in former clause 3 of rule III (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). They were amended in the 92d Congress to 
include Delegates and the Resident Commissioner among those entitled to 
the listed services (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, pp. 140-44; H. Res. 1153, 
Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36013-15). Paragraph (f) was amended in the 107th 
Congress to permit the Clerk to distribute documents by a method other 
than mail and in a form other than bound (sec. 2(a), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
2001, p. 25).




Sec. 651. Official to act as Clerk upon designation.

  (g)  The 
Clerk shall provide for the temporary absence or disability of the Clerk 
by designating an official in the Office of the Clerk to sign all papers 
that may require the official signature of the Clerk and to perform all 
other official acts that the Clerk may be required to perform under the 
rules and practices of the House, except such official acts as are 
provided for by statute. Official acts performed by the designated 
official shall be under the name of the Clerk. The designation shall be 
in writing and shall be laid before the House and entered on the 
Journal.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 4 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). It was adopted initially on January 18, 1912 (VI, 25) and 
was amended January 3, 1953 (p. 16). Form of designation of a Clerk pro 
tempore (VI, 26). Technical corrections were effected in the 108th 
Congress (sec. 2(u), H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 2003, p. 7). A gender-based 
reference was eliminated in the 111th Congress (sec. 2(l), H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7).




Sec. 652. Authority to receive messages.

  (h)  The Clerk may 
receive messages from the President and from the Senate at any time when 
the House is in recess or adjournment.




[[Page 367]]


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 5 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). It was adopted in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1981, pp. 98-113) and amended in the 111th Congress to apply to recesses 
as well as adjournments (sec. 2(m), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 9) to 
reflect current practice (see Dec. 22, 1987, p. 37966). In the case of 
Kennedy v. Sampson, 511 F.2d 430 (D.C. Cir. 1974) (see Sec. 113, supra, 
accompanying Const., art. I, sec. 7, cl. 2) a United States court of 
appeals held that a bill could not be pocket-vetoed by the President 
during an ``intrasession'' adjournment of Congress to a day certain for 
more than three days, where the House of origin has made appropriate 
arrangements for the receipt of Presidential messages during the 
adjournment.



Sec. 653. Administration of vacant Member's 
office.

  (i)(1)  The Clerk shall supervise the staff and manage the office of a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who has died, resigned, or 
been expelled until a successor is elected. The Clerk shall perform 
similar duties in the event that a vacancy is declared by the House in 
any congressional district because of the incapacity of the person 
representing such district or other reason. When acting as a supervisory 
authority over such staff, the Clerk shall have authority to terminate 
employees and, with the approval of the Committee on House 
Administration, may appoint such staff as is required to operate the 
office until a successor is elected.



  (2) For 60 days following the death of a former Speaker, the Clerk 
shall maintain on the House payroll, and shall supervise in the same 
manner, staff appointed under House Resolution 1238, Ninety-first 
Congress (as enacted into permanent law by chapter VIII of the 
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1971) (2 U.S.C. 5128).


-  (j) In <> addition to any other 
reports required by the Speaker or the Committee on House 
Administration, the Clerk shall report to the Committee on House 
Administration not later than 45 days following the

[[Page 368]]

close of each semiannual period ending on June 30 or on December 31 on 
the financial and operational status of each function under the 
jurisdiction of the Clerk. Each report shall include financial 
statements and a description or explanation of current operations, the 
implementation of new policies and procedures, and future plans for each 
function.
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 6 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). It was adopted initially in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). It was amended in the 104th and 106th Congresses 
to reflect changes in the name of the Committee on House Administration 
(sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. 47). A gender-based reference was eliminated in the 111th Congress 
(sec. 2(l), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7).




Sec. 655. Cooperation with others.

  (k)  The Clerk shall fully 
cooperate with the appropriate offices and persons in the performance of 
reviews and audits of financial records and administrative operations.



Sergeant-at-Arms--
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (j) and (k) were found in former clauses 7 and 8 of rule III 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). They were adopted initially in the 
104th Congress (sec. 201(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). A 
conforming change was effected at the beginning of the 106th Congress in 
the name of the Committee on House Administration (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47).




656. SergeantatArms enforces authority of House.

  3. (a)   
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall attend the House during its sittings and 
maintain order under the direction of the Speaker or other presiding 
officer. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall execute the commands of the House, 
and all processes issued by authority thereof, directed to the Sergeant-
at-Arms by the Speaker.



[[Page 369]]

the Virgin Islands and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico as 
well as for Members (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144; H. Res. 1153, 
Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36013-15) were stricken by the House Administrative 
Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d Cong., Apr. 9, 1992, p. 
9039) to relieve the Sergeant-at-Arms of functions transferred to the 
Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services pursuant to that 
resolution (see Sec. 664, supra). In the 94th Congress, the provisions 
of House Resolution 732, directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to enter into 
agreements with State officials, with the approval of the Committee on 
House Administration, to withhold State income taxes from the pay of 
each Member subject to such State income tax and requesting such 
withholding, were enacted into permanent law (90 Stat. 1448; 2 U.S.C. 
4556). During the 102d Congress, the House adopted a resolution 
presented by the Majority Leader as a question of the privileges of the 
House to terminate all bank and check-cashing operations in the Office 
of the Sergeant-at-Arms and direct the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct (now Ethics) to review GAO audits of such operations 
(Oct. 3, 1991, p. 25435). When former rule IV was rewritten in the 104th 
Congress, clause 1 was restated without change (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). The Chair may enlist the Sergeant-at-Arms to 
assist the Chair in maintaining decorum (Sept. 17, 1997, p. 19027; Mar. 
28, 2012, p. _).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 1 of rule IV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). It was adopted initially in 1789, with additions and 
amendments in 1838, 1877, 1890 (I, 257), 1911 (VI, 29), and 1971. A 
gender-based reference was eliminated in the 111th Congress (sec. 2(l), 
H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7). Amendments adopted in the 92d Congress 
to clarify the responsibility of the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep the 
accounts for the pay and mileage of the Delegates from the District of 
Columbia, Guam, and

  The Sergeant-at-Arms is authorized to make payments from the 
contingent fund of the House (now referred to as ``applicable accounts 
of the House described in clause 1(k)(1) of rule X''), under rules 
prescribed by the Committee on House Administration, to defray the 
expenses of the funeral of a deceased Member of the House and the 
expenses of any delegation of Members of Congress duly appointed to 
attend (76 Stat. 686; 2 U.S.C. 5606).

  The Speaker ordered that documents received in a communication from an 
independent counsel advising the House of substantial and credible 
information that may constitute grounds for impeachment of the President 
be kept under armed guard of the Sergeant-at-Arms until the House 
determined which documents to make available to the public (Sept. 9, 
1998, p. 19769).

  At the organization of the House in a new Congress, the Speaker may 
maintain decorum before adoption of rules by directing the Sergeant-at-
Arms to present the mace as the traditional symbol of order (Jan. 3, 
1991, p. 58). Before the election of Speaker, a special rule may be 
adopted conferring the authority of this paragraph, as was done in 1849 
and 1859 (I, 101, 102).


[[Page 370]]

8, 1953, p. 8263). The Clerk having died, and in the absence of the 
Sergeant-at-Arms, the Doorkeeper of the 79th Congress presided at the 
organization of the 80th Congress (Jan. 3, 1947, p. 33). In the 83d 
Congress the Sergeant-at-Arms having died, the Clerk was elected to 
serve temporarily both as Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms (July 8, 1953, p. 
8242), and upon resignation by the Clerk from the additional position of 
Sergeant-at-Arms, the Speaker, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 5501, appointed a 
temporary Sergeant-at-Arms (Jan. 6, 1954, p. 8). The Sergeant-at-Arms 
having resigned in the 96th Congress, the Speaker appointed a temporary 
Sergeant-at-Arms pursuant to the statute (Feb. 28, 1980, pp. 4349-50); 
and the same occurred in the 102d Congress (Mar. 12, 1992, p. 5519).

-- <>   (b) The symbol of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms shall 
be the mace, which shall be borne by the Sergeant-at-Arms while 
enforcing order on the floor.

  Duties imposed on the Sergeant-at-Arms by law (I, 258) include control 
of the Capitol Police; and the making up of the roll of Members-elect 
and presiding over the organization of a new Congress in case of vacancy 
in the Office of the Clerk, or the absence or disability of that officer 
(2 U.S.C. 26). The death of the Sergeant-at-Arms being announced, the 
House passed appropriate resolutions and adjourned as a mark of respect 
(VI, 32; July


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 2 of rule IV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). It was adopted initially in 1789 (II, 1346). When former 
rule IV was rewritten entirely in the 104th Congress, the paragraph was 
restated without change (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). 
A gender-based reference was eliminated in the 111th Congress (sec. 
2(l), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7). Extreme disorder arising on the 
floor, the Speaker directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to enforce order with 
the mace (VI, 258; VIII, 2530), but an attempt to enforce order without 
the mace has been questioned as illegitimate (II, 1347).



Sec. 658. Doorkeeping.

  (c)  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall 
enforce strictly the rules relating to the privileges of the Hall of the 
House and be responsible to the House for the official conduct of 
employees of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms.




[[Page 371]]


  (d) The Sergeant-at-Arms may not allow a person to enter the room over 
the Hall of the House during its sittings and, from 15 minutes before 
the hour of the meeting of the House each day until 10 minutes after 
adjournment, shall see that the floor is cleared of all persons except 
those privileged to remain.


-  (e) <> In addition to any other 
reports required by the Speaker or the Committee on House 
Administration, the Sergeant-at-Arms shall report to the Committee on 
House Administration not later than 45 days following the close of each 
semiannual period ending on June 30 or on December 31 on the financial 
and operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of the 
Sergeant-at-Arms. Each report shall include financial statements and a 
description or explanation of current operations, the implementation of 
new policies and procedures, and future plans for each function.
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (c) and (d) were found in former clauses 3 and 4 of rule IV 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). They were adopted initially in the 
104th Congress to transfer functions incident to the abolishment of the 
Office of the Doorkeeper (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). 
Gender-based references were eliminated in the 111th Congress (sec. 
2(l), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7). For the history of the Office of 
the Doorkeeper, see Sec. 663a, infra.




Sec. 660. Cooperation with others.

  (f) The  Sergeant-at-Arms 
shall fully cooperate with the appropriate offices and persons in the 
performance of reviews and audits of financial records and 
administrative operations.



Chief Administrative Officer
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (e) and (f) were found in former clauses 5 and 6 of rule IV 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). They were adopted initially in the 
104th Congress (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). A 
conforming change was effected at the beginning of the 106th Congress in 
the name of the Committee on House Administration (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47).


[[Page 372]]

signed by the Committee on House Administration and shall be subject to 
the policy direction and oversight of the Committee on House 
Administration.-


661. Duties.

  4.  (a) The Chief Administrative Officer shall 
have operational and financial responsibility for functions as as




Sec. 662. Semiannual reports.

  (b)  In addition to any other 
reports required by the Committee on House Administration, the Chief 
Administrative Officer shall report to the Committee on House 
Administration not later than 45 days following the close of each 
semiannual period ending on June 30 or December 31 on the financial and 
operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of the Chief 
Administrative Officer. Each report shall include financial statements 
and a description or explanation of current operations, the 
implementation of new policies and procedures, and future plans for each 
function.





Sec. 663. Cooperation with others.

  (c)  The Chief 
Administrative Officer shall fully cooperate with the appropriate 
offices and persons in the performance of reviews and audits of 
financial records and administrative operations.



[[Page 373]]

Officer makes certain reports on receipts and expenditures (2 U.S.C. 
4108, 4109), which are available to the public. However, members of the 
public have no statutory or constitutional right to examine the actual 
financial records that are used in preparing such reports. Trimble v. 
Johnston, 173 F. Supp. 651 (D.C. Cir. 1959).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, clause 4 
was found in former rule V (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). It was 
adopted initially in this form in the 104th Congress (sec. 201(c), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). It was amended in the 105th Congress to 
eliminate the supervisory role of the Speaker over the Chief 
Administrative Officer (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. 121). A conforming 
change was effected at the beginning of the 106th Congress in the name 
of the Committee on House Administration (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
47). Paragraph (a) was amended in the 107th Congress to reflect the 
removal of the requirement that the Committee on House Administration 
provide policy direction to the Chief Administrative Officer (sec. 2(g), 
H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2001, p. 25), but that change was reversed in the 
114th Congress (sec. 2(a)(3)(B), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2015, p. _). The 
earlier form of the rule enumerated the duties of the Doorkeeper, which 
were transferred to the Sergeant-at-Arms incident to the abolishment of 
the Office of the Doorkeeper. The Chief Administrative



Sec. 663a. Former Office of Doorkeeper.

  Before  the 104th 
Congress (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463), rule V 
enumerated the duties of the Doorkeeper, who enforced the rules relating 
to the privileges of the Hall of the House. The earlier form of the rule 
was adopted in 1838 and amended in 1869, 1880 (I, 260), and 1890 (V, 
7295). By law the Doorkeeper was assigned certain administrative duties 
(I, 262), including certain housekeeping functions. Through employees 
and appointees, the Doorkeeper also discharged various duties not 
enumerated in the law or in the rules, such as announcing at the door of 
the Hall of the House all messengers from the President and the Senate 
(V, 6591). The Clerk having died, and the Sergeant-at-Arms having been 
absent, the Doorkeeper of the 79th Congress presided at the organization 
of the 80th Congress (Jan. 3, 1947, p. 33). In the 78th Congress, the 
House adopted a resolution on the death of the Doorkeeper and appointed 
a committee to attend his funeral (Jan. 28, 1943, pp. 421, 422).-



Chaplain


Sec. 664. Former Director of Nonlegislative and 
Financial Services.

  The Chief  Administrative Officer supplanted the Director of 
Non-legislative and Financial Services formerly provided for under 
clause 1 of rule VI in the 103d Congress, which corresponded to an 
erstwhile rule LII of the 102d Congress. Certain functions and entities 
formerly within the purview of elected officers were transferred to the 
Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services pursuant to the House 
Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 
9040), which also vested the Committee on House Administration with 
authority to prescribe regulations providing for the orderly transfer of 
such functions and entities and any other transfers necessary for the 
improvement of non-legislative and financial services in the House, so 
long as not transferring a function or entity within the jurisdiction of 
the committee under rule X. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule VI of the 103d 
Congress (then still designated as rule LII of the 102d Congress), the 
Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader jointly appointed 
the first Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services on October 
23, 1992 (Oct. 29, 1992, p. 34802).





665. Duties of the Chaplain.

  5. The  Chaplain shall offer a 
prayer at the commencement of each day's sitting of the House.



[[Page 374]]

initially in 1880 (I, 272), but the sessions of the House were opened 
with prayer from the first, and the Chaplain was an officer of the House 
before the adoption of the rule (I, 273-282). The Chaplain takes the 
oath prescribed for the officers of the House (VI, 31; Feb. 1, 1950, p. 
1311). Prayer by the Chaplain is not business requiring the presence of 
a quorum and the Speaker declines to entertain a point of no quorum 
before prayer is offered (VI, 663; clause 7 of rule XX). There is no 
precedent for prayer to be offered by the Chaplain during a continuous 
session of the House, absent an adjournment or recess (compare Apr. 22 
and 23, 1985, pp. 8753 and 8959). Form of resignation of the Chaplain 
(Feb. 28, 1921, p. 4075; Jan. 30, 1950, p. 1097; Mar. 23, 2000, p. 3480; 
May 25, 2011, pp. 7884, 7885). Form of resolution electing a Chaplain 
emeritus (VI, 31; Jan. 30, 1950, p. 1095; Nov. 10, 1999, p. 29493).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
clause was found in former rule VII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). It 
was adopted


Office of Inspector General
  During the 97th Congress, the Supreme Court held that employment of a 
chaplain for the legislative body of Nebraska did not violate the 
Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution. Marsh 
v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783 (1983). The Court of Appeals cited the Marsh 
decision as controlling authority in a similar challenge to the House 
Chaplain. Murray v. Buchanan, 729 F.2d 689 (D.C. Cir. 1983). The House 
adopted a privileged resolution articulating its position in the Murray 
case (H. Res. 413, Mar. 30, 1982, p. 5890). During the 113th Congress, 
the Supreme Court held that the practice of opening a town board meeting 
with a prayer offered by a member of the clergy did not violate the 
Estalishment Clause in part because of the tradition long followed by 
Congress and state legislatures. Town of Greece v. Galloway, 572 U.S. _ 
(2014).



667. Inspector General.

  6. (a)  There is established an 
Office of Inspector General.


  (b) The Inspector General shall be appointed for a Congress by the 
Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader, acting jointly.

  (c) Subject to the policy direction and oversight of the Committee on 
House Administration, the Inspector General shall only--


[[Page 375]]

      (1) provide audit, investigative, and advisory services to the 
House and joint entities in a manner consistent with government-wide 
standards;

      (2) inform the officers or other officials who are the subject of 
an audit of the results of that audit and suggesting appropriate 
curative actions;

      (3) simultaneously notify the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the 
Minority Leader, and the chair and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on House Administration in the case of any financial 
irregularity discovered in the course of carrying out responsibilities 
under this clause;

      (4) simultaneously submit to the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the 
Minority Leader, and the chair and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on House Administration a 
report of each audit conducted under this clause; and


      (5) report to the Committee on Ethics information involving 
possible violations by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House of any rule of the House or of any law 
applicable to the performance of official duties or the discharge of 
official responsibilities that may require referral to the appropriate 
Federal or State authorities under clause 3(a)(3) of rule XI.


[[Page 376]]

(c)(1) was amended, and gender-based references were eliminated, in the 
111th Congress (secs. 2(a), 2(l), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7). 
Paragraph (c)(5) was amended in the 112th Congress to reflect a change 
in committee name (sec. 2(e)(8), H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 2011, p. 80). 
Paragraph (c)(4) was amended in the 113th Congress to add the Committee 
on Appropriations (sec. 2(f), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2013, p. _).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
clause was found in former rule VI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). It 
was adopted initially in this form at the beginning of the 104th 
Congress (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). Later in the 
104th Congress and in the 106th Congress it was amended to effect a 
technical correction (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. 35077; H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). Its predecessor form was composed in the 103d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49) by combining two rules adopted 
in the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d 
Cong., Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040). Paragraph


  In the form of the rule adopted in the 103d Congress, paragraph (a) 
(formerly clause 1) corresponded to an erstwhile rule LII of the 102d 
Congress (relating to the Director of Non-legislative and Financial 
Services, who in the 104th Congress was supplanted by the Chief 
Administrative Officer; see clause 4 of rule II, Sec. Sec. 661-663, 
supra), and paragraph (b) (formerly clause 2) corresponded to an 
erstwhile rule LIII of the 102d Congress (relating to the Inspector 
General). The 104th Congress rewrote clause 2 of rule VI (as it was 
composed in the 103d Congress) to occupy all of rule VI and to: broaden 
the auditing responsibilities beyond the offices of the elected officers 
(paragraph (c)(1), formerly clause 2(c)(1)); add requirements for 
simultaneous reporting (paragraphs (c)(3) and (4), formerly clauses 
2(c)(3) and (4)); delete a provision relating to classification of 
employees (formerly clause 2(d)); and add the responsibility to report 
certain information to the Committee on Ethics (paragraph (c)(5)) (sec. 
201, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). The 104th Congress also mandated 
that the Inspector General, in consultation with the Speaker and the 
Committee on House Administration, procure an independent and 
comprehensive audit of House financial records and administrative 
operations and report the results thereof in accord with this rule (sec. 
107, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463).


Office of the Historian


Sec. 668. Former Office of the Postmaster.

  Until  the 102d 
Congress, former rule VI provided for an Office of the Postmaster, which 
supervised the post offices of the House and the delivery of its mail. 
The earlier form of the rule was adopted in 1838 and amended in 1880 (I, 
270), 1911 (VI, 34), 1971 (H. Res. 5, 92d Cong., p. 144), and 1972 (H. 
Res. 1153, 92d Cong., pp. 36013-15). The Office of the Postmaster was 
abolished during the 102d Congress by the House Administrative Reform 
Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040).





669. Historian.

  7.  There is established an Office of the 
Historian of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall appoint and 
set the annual rate of pay for employees of the Office of the Historian.



[[Page 377]]

It was adopted initially in the 101st Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, 
p. 72). The second sentence was added in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). An earlier form of this clause provided for the 
seven-year establishment of an Office for the Bicentennial to coordinate 
the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the House of 
Representatives (H. Res. 621, 97th Cong., Dec. 17, 1982, p. 31951). The 
management, supervision, and administration of the office was under the 
direction of the Speaker and was staffed by a professional historian 
appointed by the Speaker on a nonpartisan basis. In 1984 the office was 
removed from the standing rules and established for the remainder of its 
existence by P.L. 98-367. Apart from the Office of the Historian, the 
History of the House Awareness and Preservation Act requires the 
Librarian of Congress to prepare a new and complete written history of 
the House in consultation with the Committee on House Administration (2 
U.S.C. 183). The Act also requires the Librarian to accept for deposit, 
preserve, maintain, and make accessible an oral history of the House as 
told by its Members and former Members (2 U.S.C. 183a).

Office of General Counsel
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 10 of rule I (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47).




670. General Counsel.

  8. (a)  There is established an Office 
of General Counsel for the purpose of providing legal assistance and 
representation to the House. Legal assistance and representation shall 
be provided without regard to political affiliation. The Speaker shall 
appoint and set the annual rate of pay for employees of the Office of 
General Counsel. The Office of General Counsel shall function pursuant 
to the direction of the Speaker, who shall consult with the Bipartisan 
Legal Advisory Group.



[[Page 378]]

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 11 of rule I (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. 47). It was adopted initially in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). The previous year, in the House Administrative 
Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040), the 
House had directed the Committee on House Administration to provide for 
an Office of General Counsel in a manner ensuring appropriate 
coordination with and participation by both the majority and minority 
leaderships in matters of representation and litigation. It was amended 
in the 114th Congress to move composition of the Bipartisan Legal 
Advisory Group to a new paragraph (b) (sec. 2(b), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
2015, p. _).


  The General Counsel is authorized by law to appear in any proceeding 
before a State or Federal court (except the United States Supreme Court) 
without compliance with admission requirements of such court (2 U.S.C. 
5571(a)). Furthermore, the law requires the Attorney General to notify 
the General Counsel of a determination not to appeal a court decision 
affecting the constitutionality of an Act (2 U.S.C. 5571(b)). The House 
may authorize the General Counsel to represent the House or a committee 
or take other action in a judicial proceeding (Feb. 14, 2008, p. 2191; 
sec. 4(f), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 10; June 28, 2012, p. _; sec. 
4(a)(2), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2013, p. _; July 30, 2014, p. _; secs. 
3(f)(1), 3(f)(2), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2015, p. _)).




Sec. 670a. Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group.

  (b)  There is 
established a Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group 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.





  This paragraph was added in the 114th Congress to affirmatively 
establish the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, whose composition was 
previously included in what is now paragraph (a) (sec. 2(b), H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 2015, p. _). The second sentence reflected a separate order of 
the House of the 113th Congress, which also authorized the Bipartisan 
Legal Advisory Group to continue certain civil actions begun in the 
previous Congress (sec. 4(a)(1), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2013, p. _).