Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate

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Officer of the United States Senate

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Incumbent
Karen Gibson

since March 22, 2021

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The Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate is an officer of the United States Senate who is responsible for maintaining order and security within the Senate. The position was established on April 7, 1789, and the first person to hold the office was James Mathers. The current Sergeant at Arms is Karen Gibson, who has been in office since March 22, 2021.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Sergeant at Arms is tasked with a variety of duties, including:

• Ensuring the security of the Senate chamber, Senate offices, and Senate buildings.
• Enforcing the rules of the Senate.
• Serving as the Senate's chief law enforcement officer.
• Managing the Senate's information technology and telecommunications infrastructure.
• Providing assistance to Senators and their staff with administrative and logistical support.

The Sergeant at Arms also has ceremonial duties, such as escorting the President of the United States and other dignitaries when they visit the Senate.

Historical Background

The role of the Sergeant at Arms has evolved over time. Initially, the position was focused on maintaining order within the Senate chamber. However, as the Senate's operations have grown more complex, the responsibilities of the Sergeant at Arms have expanded to include a wide range of administrative and security functions.

Appointment

The Sergeant at Arms is elected by the members of the Senate and serves at their pleasure. The position is one of the few Senate officers who is not a member of the Senate itself.

Related Positions

The Sergeant at Arms works closely with other Senate officers, including the Secretary of the Senate and the Chaplain of the United States Senate. The Sergeant at Arms also collaborates with the Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives on matters of mutual concern.

List of Related Pages

• United States Senate
• Secretary of the Senate
• Chaplain of the United States Senate
• Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives
• President of the United States