Offices and Officials in the Senate: Roles and Duties (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised March 16, 2015 |
| Report Number |
R43532 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Ida A. Brudnick, Coordinator Specialist on the Congress |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Article I, Section 3, clause 5 of the United States Constitution states that the Senate shall 'chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.' Currently, the Senate elects a Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (hereinafter Sergeant at Arms), and Chaplain. These officers provide services to the entire Senate community. Two additional officers--Secretary for the Majority and Secretary for the Minority-- are nominated by their parties and formally elected by the entire Senate. The Senate also elects a President pro tempore, although, this position--held by a member of the Senate (traditionally the majority party Senator with the longest continuous service)--is not addressed in this report.1 In addition, the Senate has established appointive offices, including the Legal Counsel, Legislative Counsel, and Parliamentarian, to handle certain other duties to the Senate. The roles and duties of these officers and officials have developed over time. They derive from Senate instructions codified in the Senate Rules, standing orders, the Senate Handbook, and law; Senate officers' activities may also be influenced by historical custom and precedent.2 Many of their duties are further defined by the committees with oversight and funding responsibilities for the Senate. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, for example, has jurisdiction under Senate Rule XXV(n)(1) over many of the activities carried out by these officers and officials involving, for example, the Senate office buildings, Senate art, congressional printing, services to the Senate, and payments from the Senate contingent fund. The Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch also may provide oversight of activities carried out by officers and officials through the annual appropriations hearings, reports, and bill language. Unlike in the House, which elects its officers to a two-year term, elected officers of the Senate do not have to be reelected at the beginning of a new Senate. Officers are elected when their predecessors leave office.3 When a vacancy occurs, the Senate chooses a new officer through the adoption of a resolution. When multiple officers are elected on the same day, separate resolutions are generally considered. Further, a deputy or assistant may be authorized to act in the absence of an officer. This report outlines the officers of the Senate, including brief information about the history of each office, examples of their roles and duties, and election or appointment information about the current incumbent.
