The sergeant at arms of the United States House of Representatives is an officer of the
House
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...
with
law enforcement
Law enforcement is the activity of some members of the government or other social institutions who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by investigating, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms gove ...
,
protocol
Protocol may refer to:
Sociology and politics
* Protocol (politics)
Protocol originally (in Late Middle English, c. 15th century) meant the minutes or logbook taken at a meeting, upon which an agreement was based. The term now commonly refers to ...
, and
administrative responsibilities. The sergeant at arms is elected at the beginning of each Congress by the membership of the House.
Duties
In one of its first resolutions, the
1st United States Congress
The 1st United States Congress, comprising the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, met from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, during the first two years of George Washington's presidency, first at Federal Hall ...
(April 14, 1789) established the role of Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives.
Security
As the chief law enforcement officer of the House, the sergeant at arms is responsible for security in the House wing of the
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol or the Capitol Building, is the Seat of government, seat of the United States Congress, the United States Congress, legislative branch of the Federal government of the United States, federal g ...
, the House office buildings, and on adjacent grounds. Under the direction of the
speaker of the House
The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England.
Usage
The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hung ...
or other presiding officer, the sergeant at arms plays an integral role in maintaining order and decorum in the House chamber.
The sergeant at arms is also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of
members of Congress
A member of congress (MOC), also known as a congressman or congresswoman, is a person who has been appointed or elected and inducted into an official body called a congress, typically to represent a particular constituency in a legislature. The t ...
, the congressional staff, visiting