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1 1 (January 13, 2025)

handle is hein.crs/govesam0001 and id is 1 raw text is: House Sergeant at Arms: A Primer Updated January 13, 2025 The Sergeant at Arms (SAA) is an elected officer of the House of Representatives and is 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. Capitol complex. Initially established during the First Congress, when the House elected Joseph Wheaton of Rhode Island on May 12, 1789, the SAA 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 Selecdon Process The House of Representatives, on the first day of a new Congress, typically elects the House SAA. 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 SAA. Two recent SAAs-Wilson Bill Livingood and Paul Irving-served through changes in the majority party, being elected by both Republican and Democratic majorities. The current SAA, William McFarland, was appointed as acting SAA on January 6, 2023 (second legislative day). On September 20, 2023, the House elected McFarland as SAA (H.Res. 705). On January 3, 2025, the House reelected McFarland for the 119th Congress (H.Res. 1). Acting Appointment by Speaker In several instances, the Speaker of the House, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. §5501, has appointed an acting SAA. Alternatively, the House could consider a resolution to elect a new SAA. Since the Speaker was given this appointment authority in 1953, it has been used on multiple occasions: in 1954 with the resignation of Lyle Snader and the appointment of William Bonsell; in 1980 with the resignation of Kenneth Harding and the appointment of Benjamin Guthrie; in 1992 with the resignation of Jack Russ and the appointment of Werner Brandt; in 2021 with the resignation of Paul Irving and the appointment of acting SAA Timothy Blodgett; and in 2023 with the appointment of William McFarland. In three of these cases-Guthrie, Brandt, and McFarland-the acting SAA was subsequently elected by the House. In at least one instance, following the retirement of Wilson Bill Livingood on January 17, 2012, the House considered a resolution (H.Res. 511, 112th Congress) to elect Paul Irving as SAA the same day. 117t Congress On January 3, 2021, the House reelected Paul Irving as SAA for a sixth Congress. On January 7, 2021, he resigned as SAA following the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol during the joint session of Congress to certify and count the 2020 presidential election electoral votes. On January 11, 2021, Speaker Pelosi, pursuant to her authority under 2 U.S.C. §5501, appointed Timothy Blodgett as acting SAA. On April 21, 2021, the House elected William Walker as SAA (H.Res. 339), effective April 26, 2021. Sergeant at Arms Snce 1980 Since 1980, eight individuals have served as House SAA or acting SAA. Table 1 lists the SAAs since 1980. Table I. Sergeants at Arms of the House, 1980-2025 Sergeant at Congresses Arms First Took Office 96th (1979-80) to Benjamin Guthrie March 1, 1980 97th (1981-82) 98th (1983-84) to Jack Russ january 3, 1983 102nd (1991-92) 102nd (1991-92) to Werner Brandt March 12, 1992 103rd (1993-94) 104th (1995-96) to Wilson Bill january 4, 1995 11 2th (2011-12) Livingood I 12th (2011-12) to Paul Irvinga january 17, 2012 I 17th (2021-22) 1 17th (2021-22) Timothy January 11, 2021 Blodgettb I 17th (2021-22) William Walker April 26, 2021c 1 18th (2023-24) to William January 6, 2023d II9th (2025-26) McFarlandd Sources: U.S. Congress, Office of the Historian, Sergeants at Arms. Notes: a. Paul Irving announced his resignation on January 7, 2021. b. Timothy Blodgett was appointed as Acting SAA on January II, 2021. c. William Walker was elected by the House on April 21, 2021. d. William McFarland was appointed as Acting SAA on January 6, 2023 (second legislative day). On September 20, 2023, McFarland was elected as SAA (H.Res. 705).

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