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SRES 8 · 119th CongressAdopted
A resolution electing Jackie Barber as Secretary of the Senate.
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Congress
Sponsor
John Thune
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 3, 2025
Legislative Progress
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Latest Action
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7; text: CR S7)
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedThe Secretary of the Senate is a constitutional officer elected by the full Senate to serve as the chamber's chief administrative and record-keeping official. The position, established under the Senate's internal governance rules, oversees legislative records, manages Senate operations, and serves as custodian of the Senate seal. The Secretary also certifies legislation, maintains official documents, and performs ceremonial duties on behalf of the chamber. This election occurs at the start of each new Congress, typically during the opening session when senators take their oaths of office.
This resolution elects Jackie Barber of South Dakota as Secretary of the Senate, effective January 3rd, 2025. The Senate, through this formal resolution, designates Barber to assume the duties and responsibilities of the office for the 119th Congress. The election requires a majority vote of senators present and voting. Once adopted, the resolution makes Barber the official Secretary, granting her authority to execute all functions associated with the position, including legislative certification, record management, and administrative oversight of Senate operations.
Barber assumes office immediately upon passage of the resolution on January 3rd, 2025, the opening day of the 119th Congress. As Secretary, she will oversee the Senate's legislative documentation, manage the chamber's official records and archives, and coordinate with the Clerk of the House and other federal agencies on matters requiring inter-chamber coordination. The position carries no separate appropriation; the Secretary's salary and office operations are funded through the Senate's existing administrative budget. Barber's election does not alter existing Senate procedures, legislative authority, or the powers of individual senators—it simply fills the elected administrative office for the new Congress.
Key Provisions
- 1Elects Jackie Barber of South Dakota as Secretary of the Senate for the 119th Congress, effective January 3rd, 2025.
- 2Grants Barber authority to perform all duties and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Senate office, including legislative record-keeping, document certification, and administrative oversight of Senate operations.
★ Why this matters
The Secretary of the Senate is the chamber's chief administrative officer, responsible for maintaining legislative records, certifying bills, and managing Senate operations. This election fills that position for the new Congress, ensuring continuity of the Senate's record-keeping and administrative functions. Without an elected Secretary, the Senate cannot formally certify legislation or maintain official records of its proceedings.
● Who this affects
Jackie Barber, who assumes the office of Secretary of the Senate; Senate members and staff, who rely on the Secretary's administrative and record-keeping functions; the general public and researchers, who depend on the Secretary's office to maintain and provide access to official Senate records and legislative documents; federal agencies that coordinate with the Senate on legislative matters requiring official certification and documentation.
Bill Text
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<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 8
Electing Jackie Barber as Secretatry of the Senate.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Thune submitted the following resolution; which was considered and
agreed to
RESOLUTION
Electing Jackie Barber as Secretatry of the Senate.
Resolved, That Jackie Barber of South Dakota, be, and she is
hereby, elected Secretary of the Senate, effective January 3rd, 2025.
<all>