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1 1 (January 14, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govebkp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer 9 January 14, 2021 The Sergeant at Arms is an elected officer of the House of Representatives andis the chamber's primary law enforcement official and protocol officer, responsible for maintaining security on the House floor and the House side of the U.S. Capitolcomplex. Initially established during the First Congress, when the House electedJoseph Wheaton of Rhode Island on May 12, 1789, the Sergeant at Arms performs duties according to law, House rules, and custom. The House, according to the order of the day, proceeded by ballot to the appointment of a Sergeant- at-Arms; and upon examining the ballots, a majority of the votes of the whole House was found in favor of Joseph Wheaton. Annals of Congress, May 12, 1789, p. 330 Selection Process The House ofRepresentatives, on the first day of anew Congress, typically elects the House Sergeant at Arms. Generally, the election occurs with the adoption of a House Resolution (H.Res.). After the resolution's introduction, the minority party typically offers an amendment to nominate its own candidate for office. Once the House disposes of the minority-party amendment, the House votes to agree to the resolution and elect the Sergeantat Arms. The previous two Sergeants at Arms-WilsonBill Livingood and Paul Irving-served through changes in the majority party, being elected by both Republican and Democratic majorities. The Sergeant at Arms was last electedon January 3,2021, for the 117th Congress (2021-2022). He resignedon January 7, 2021. Acting Appointment by Speaker In several instances, the incumbent Sergeant at Arms did not complete his term. Should an incumbent Sergeant at Arms not complete a term, the Speaker of the House, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. §5501, has the power to appoint an acting Sergeant at Arms. Alternatively, a resolution to elect a new Sergeant at Arms couldbe considered in the House. Since the Speaker was given this appointment authority in 1953, it has been used on multiple occasions in previous Congresses: in 1954 with the resignationofLyle Snader and the appointmentof William Bonsell; in 1980 with the resignation ofKenneth Harding and the appointment of Benjamin Guthrie; and in 1992 with the resignationof Jack Russ and the appointment of Werner Brandt. In two of these cases-Guthrie and Brandt-the acting Sergeant at Arms was subsequently elected by the House. In at least one instance, following theretirement of Wilson Bill Livingood on January 17, 2012, the House considered a resolution (H.Res.511, 112th Congress)to elect Paul Irving as Sergeant at Arms the same day. 117Th Congress On January 3, 2021, the House reelected PaulIrving as Sergeant at Arms for a sixth Congress. On January 7, 2021, he resigned as Sergeant at Arms following the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitolduring the joint session of Congress to certify andcount the2020presidential election electoralvotes. On January 11, 2021, the Speaker, pursuantto her authority under 2 U.S.C. §5501, appointed Timothy Blodgett as acting Sergeant at Arms. Immediate Past Sergeant at Arms Since 1980, six individuals have served as House Sergeant at Arms. Table 1 lists the Sergeants at Arms since 1980, and when they first took office. Table I. Sergeants at Arms of the House, 1980-2021 Sergeant at First Took Congresses Arms Office 96th (I 979-80)to Benjamin Guthrie March 1, 1980 97th (1981-82) 98th (I 983-84)to Jack Russ January 3, 1983 102nd(1991-92) 102nd (1991 -92)to Werner Brandt March 12, 1992 103rd (1993-94) 104h (1995-96) to Wilson Bill January4, 1995 1 121h (201 1-12) Livingood 112th(2011-12)to Paullrvinga Januaryl7,2012 1 17h(2021-22) 1 171h (2021-22) Timothy Blodgettb January 1 1, 2021 Source: U.S. Congress, Office of the Historian, Sergeants at Arms, at https://h istory.house.gov/People/Office/Sergeants-at-Arms. Notes: a. Paul Irving announced his resignation on January 7,2021. b. Timothy Blodgett was appointed as Acting Sergeant at Arms on January 1 1,2021. Duties of the Sergeant at Arms As the chief law enforcement officer of the House, the Sergeant at Arms is responsible for security in the House wing of the Capitol, in the House office buildings, and on adjacent grounds. Under the direction of the Speaker of the House or other presiding officer, the Sergeant at Arms plays an integralrole in maintaining order and decorumin the House chamber. https://crs reports.congress.gc

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