The Ultimate Guide To Chief House Officers

who is the chief officer of the house

The United States House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral United States Congress, with the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation. The House's chief officer is the clerk, who maintains public records and documents, and oversees junior officials. The chief administrative officer (CAO) is responsible for the day-to-day administrative support of the House, including human resources, payroll, and finance. The Speaker of the House is the leader of the House, elected by the whole of the House of Representatives, and is second in line to succeed the President. Each House committee and subcommittee is led by a chairman, who is always a member of the majority party.

Characteristics Values
Chief officer of the United States House of Representatives The Clerk
Chief officer of the Oklahoma House of Representatives The Speaker
Chief Administrative Officer of the United States House of Representatives The CAO
Leader of the House The Speaker
Second-highest-ranking officer in the House The Speaker Pro Tempore

cycivic

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

The CAO is just one of several officials who serve the House but are not members themselves. The House's chief officer is the clerk, who maintains public records, prepares documents, and oversees junior officials. The chaplain leads the House in prayer at the opening of each day, and the sergeant at arms is the chief law enforcement officer, maintaining order and security on House premises. The Speaker of the House, elected by the whole of the House of Representatives, acts as the leader of the House and combines several roles, including the institutional role of presiding officer and administrative head of the House, the role of leader of the majority party in the House, and the representative role of an elected member of the House. The Speaker is second in line to succeed the President after the Vice President. Each House committee and subcommittee is led by a chairman, who is always a member of the majority party.

cycivic

The Speaker of the House

The House elects its speaker at the beginning of a new Congress, biennially, after a general election, or when a speaker dies, resigns, or is removed from the position during a congressional term. The Speaker must receive a majority of votes from the members present and voting. If no candidate wins a majority, the roll call is repeated until a speaker is elected.

cycivic

The Clerk

The chief officer of the United States House of Representatives is known as the Clerk. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining public records, preparing documents, and overseeing junior officials. They also preside over the House at the beginning of each new Congress until a Speaker is elected.

While the Clerk is the chief officer of the House, there are several other important officials who support the functioning of the House. One such official is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), who is responsible for the day-to-day administrative support of the House of Representatives. This includes a wide range of functions, from payroll to food service, human resources to information resources, and procurement to other business services. The CAO position was created by the 104th Congress following the 1994 mid-term elections, replacing the positions of Doorkeeper and Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services. The CAO is elected every two years when the House organises for a new Congress, along with other House officers.

Another important official is the Parliamentarian, who serves as a non-partisan advisor to members of the House. The Parliamentarian's primary duty is to rule on procedure and advise the presiding officer of the House. The House is also served by a General Counsel, Historian, Inspector General, and other appointed officials who provide essential support and guidance to members of Congress and their staff.

cycivic

The Sergeant at Arms

As the chief law enforcement officer, the Sergeant at Arms is in charge of security in the House wing of the United States Capitol and in the House office buildings. They work closely with the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol as part of the Capitol Police Board, which oversees the Capitol Guide Service. The Sergeant at Arms is also responsible for issuing subpoenas and making arrests if directed by the president of the Senate or a committee chairman.

In addition to their law enforcement and administrative duties, the Sergeant at Arms plays a ceremonial role, leading formal processions at ceremonies such as presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, and formal addresses to Congress. They are famous for announcing the arrival of the president and escorting visiting foreign dignitaries. The Sergeant at Arms also conveys articles of impeachment from the House to the Senate and supervises congressional funeral arrangements.

What Powers Are Described in This Quote?

You may want to see also

cycivic

The Chairman

The current Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is Kyle Hilbert, who is known for his significant contributions to budget negotiations and transparency. Hilbert will be the youngest House Speaker in Oklahoma's history. The Speaker Pro Tempore, Moore, assists the Speaker and coordinates with committees to address various issues, including education, healthcare, and public service.

In addition to the chairman and other officers, the House also has a chief administrative officer (CAO), responsible for providing administrative support to the House. This includes human resources, information resources, payroll, and finance. The CAO is elected every two years, along with other House officers, by a resolution passed by the full House. The current CAO is Catherine Szpindor, who assumed office in 2021.

Frequently asked questions

The chief administrative officer of the United States House of Representatives is Catherine Szpindor, who took office on January 3, 2021. The CAO is responsible for carrying out the House's administrative functions, including human resources, payroll, and finance.

The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Kyle Hilbert, is the body's chief presiding officer. The Speaker Pro Tempore is the second-highest-ranking officer in the House and assists the Speaker.

Each House committee and subcommittee is led by a chairman, who is always a member of the majority party. The chaplain leads the House in prayer at the opening of the day. The sergeant at arms is the House's chief law enforcement officer, and the clerk maintains public records and prepares documents.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment