§ 78. — Duties of Sergeant at Arms.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 2USC78]
TITLE 2--THE CONGRESS
CHAPTER 4--OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Sec. 78. Duties of Sergeant at Arms
It shall be the duty of the Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives to attend the House during its sittings, to maintain
order under the direction of the Speaker, and, pending the election of a
Speaker or Speaker pro tempore, under the direction of the Clerk,
execute the commands of the House and all processes issued by authority
thereof, directed to him by the Speaker.
(Oct. 1, 1890, ch. 1256, Sec. 1, 26 Stat. 645; Pub. L. 104-186, title
II, Sec. 204(25)(A), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1733.)
Amendments
1996--Pub. L. 104-186 struck out ``, keep the accounts for the pay
and mileage of Members and Delegates, and pay them as provided by law''
after ``directed to him by the Speaker''.
Law Enforcement Authority of Sergeant at Arms
Pub. L. 104-53, title III, Sec. 313, Nov. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 538,
provided that:
``(a) The Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives shall
have the same law enforcement authority, including the authority to
carry firearms, as a member of the Capitol Police. The law enforcement
authority under the preceding sentence shall be subject to the
requirement that the Sergeant at Arms have the qualifications specified
in subsection (b).
``(b) The qualifications referred to in subsection (a) are the
following:
``(1) A minimum of five years of experience as a law enforcement
officer before beginning service as the Sergeant at Arms.
``(2) Current certification in the use of firearms by the
appropriate Federal law enforcement entity or an equivalent non-
Federal entity.
``(3) Any other firearms qualification required for members of
the Capitol Police.
``(c) The Committee on House Oversight [now Committee on House
Administration] of the House of Representatives shall have authority to
prescribe regulations to carry out this section.''
