Understanding the Duties of the Sergeant at Arms

A Sergeant at Arms serves as the primary law enforcement officer for the U.S. Capitol. This person is an elected official responsible for ensuring the security and safety of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate and the House elect their own Sergeants at Arms to serve the bodies separately. Both the Senate and House Sergeants at Arms are responsible for running the Capitol Police Board, along with the Architect of the Capitol. The chair of the Capitol Police Board alternates between the Senate and the House.

The Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper is elected by the Senate with the adoption of a Resolution. The majority party nominates and elects the Senate Sergeant at Arms, who then serves the entire Senate.

The Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives is typically elected by the U.S. House of Representatives on the first day of a new Congress, voted on by all the members of the House but the Speaker of the House. The election occurs with the adoption of a House Resolution at the United States Capitol.

The Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper plays a vital role in maintaining security, order, and decorum in the Senate by fulfilling the following duties:

• Security: The Senate Sergeant at Arms is responsible for maintaining security and protection within the Senate. They supervise the Senate wing of the Capitol, protect senate members, and control access to the Senate Chamber and galleries. Doorkeepers may be elected by the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms to maintain order and security in the senate chamber and adjoining rooms.
• Decorum: The Senate Sergeant at Arms is responsible for maintaining order within the Senate Chamber. The Senate Sergeant at Arms is responsible for banging the Senate gavel, delivering two gavels to the Senate floor before every session.
• Protocol: The Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper is responsible for all official events and visits in the Senate. This includes escorting the president, other heads of state, and official guests while they attend events in the Capitol.
• Executive: The Senate Sergeant at Arms enforces all rules of the Senate. These include its Standing Rules, Standing Orders, Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing, and Rules for Impeachment Trials.
• Maintenance: The Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms may provide Senators with software, computers, equipment, and repairs. Their office is also responsible for making much of the furniture for the Senate.

The acting Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives plays a vital role in maintaining security, order, and decorum in Congress by fulfilling the following duties:

• Security: The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for maintaining security and protection within the House of Representatives, which includes ensuring the protection of House Members, congressional staff, visiting dignitaries, and tourists. This Office also processes security clearances for the House and acts as a secure location for classified documents.
• Decorum: Either the Sergeant at Arms or their assistant must be present at all floor sessions to maintain decorum on the House floor. They are permitted to hold up the silver and ebony Mace of the United States House of Representatives, which typically stands on a green marble pedestal on the Rostrum—where the Speaker of the House presides. If a member becomes unruly, the Sergeant at Arms restores order in the chamber by holding it in front of the offending congress member(s). They are also permitted to escort absent Members to House sessions if the necessary minimum requirement, or the quorum, of Members has not been reached.
• Protocol: The Sergeant at Arms performs several ceremonial duties, such as leading formal processions like inaugurations, joint sessions, formal addresses to the Congress, and State of the Union addresses. They are also responsible for arranging travel for Members of Congress to congressional funerals.

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