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HRES 1 · 119th CongressAdopted
Electing officers of the House of Representatives.
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7-8)
Congress
Sponsor
Lisa McClain
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 3, 2025
Legislative Progress
How far this bill has traveled through Congress
Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
President
Enacted
Introduced
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Committee
Reviewed & reported
Passed Chamber
House or Senate vote
Passed Both
House & Senate agree
President
Sent to White House
Enacted
Signed into law
Latest Action
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedThe House of Representatives must elect its officers at the beginning of each new Congress. These positions — Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer — are essential to the chamber's daily operations. The Clerk maintains legislative records, manages the chamber's administrative functions, and oversees voting procedures. The Sergeant-at-Arms enforces House rules and maintains security. The Chief Administrative Officer manages the House's budget, human resources, and facilities. These officers serve at the pleasure of the House and are elected through formal resolution at the start of each congressional session.
This resolution elects three individuals to serve as House officers for the 119th Congress. The House designates Kevin McCumber of Illinois as Clerk of the House of Representatives, William McFarland of Maryland as Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives, and Catherine Szpindor of Virginia as Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives. These elections occur through separate resolutions, each naming the individual and their state of residence, and take effect immediately upon passage.
These officers assume their duties immediately following the resolution's adoption on January 3, 2025, the opening day of the 119th Congress. They serve two-year terms corresponding to the congressional session. The Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer oversee hundreds of House staff members and manage budgets totaling hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Their election establishes the leadership structure through which the House conducts legislative business, manages its facilities, and maintains its records for the next two years.
Key Provisions
- 1Elects Kevin McCumber of Illinois as Clerk of the House of Representatives to manage legislative records and administrative functions.
- 2Elects William McFarland of Maryland as Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives to enforce House rules and maintain chamber security.
- 3Elects Catherine Szpindor of Virginia as Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives to oversee budget, human resources, and facilities management.
★ Why this matters
The House cannot conduct legislative business without elected officers to manage its operations. These three positions control the chamber's administrative infrastructure, including record-keeping, security, budgeting, and staffing. The officers' decisions directly affect how efficiently the House functions, how members access information and support services, and how the chamber's resources are allocated. Their election establishes the operational leadership for the next two years of congressional activity.
● Who this affects
All 435 members of the House of Representatives depend on these officers to manage the chamber's day-to-day operations. House staff members — including legislative aides, administrative personnel, and security officers — report to these elected officials. The general public is indirectly affected through the efficiency and transparency of House legislative processes. Federal contractors and vendors who provide services to the House may experience changes in procurement and management practices based on the new officers' priorities.
Bill Text
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<DOC>
H. Res. 1
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
January 3, 2025.
Resolved, That Kevin McCumber of the State of Illinois be, and is hereby,
chosen Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Resolved, That William McFarland of the State of Maryland be, and is hereby,
chosen Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives.
Resolved, That Catherine Szpindor of the Commonwealth of Virginia be, and is
hereby, chosen Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.