Sergeant at Arms of The United States Senate - Executive Officer

Executive Officer

As executive officer of the Senate, the sergeant at arms enforces all rules of the Senate: its Standing Rules, Standing Orders, Rules for the Regulation of the Senate Wing, and Rules for Impeachment Trials. This role includes providing services to Senators in their Washington D.C. and state offices, to visitors, and to the Capitol complex. In Washington D.C., senators rely on the sergeant at arms for software, computers, equipment, and repairs. The software, computers, and equipment are tailored to the Senate’s needs, and include office automation systems, correspondence management systems, and telephone services and support. The Office of the Sergeant at Arms makes much of the furniture in the Capitol. It also provides custodial services in the Senate wing of the Capitol and repairs the Capitol’s furnishings. Through letter printing, mail processing, graphics, television, radio, and photography services, the Office helps create the materials that senators use to communicate with their constituents and with each other. The services also help senators maintain archives of their activities. The Senate Post Office is under the jurisdiction of the sergeant at arms. It delivers and ensures the safety of the vast quantities of mail that come through the Senate. Since 2001, the Senate Post Office has enhanced its operations by instituting a number of safety procedures for all letters and packages delivered to the Senate. The Recording and Photographic Studios operate the television cameras that record the daily sessions of the Senate and provide senators with audio, visual, and still photography services. The Recording Studio also creates the official video archive of the Senate’s floor activities. Senators have offices in their home states to maintain contact with their constituents. These offices rely on the sergeant at arms for lease negotiations, equipment, and technology. Visitors to the Capitol on official business are greeted at the Appointment Desk. The Appointment Desk staff directs them to their destinations. The Capitol Guide Service provides guided tours of the public areas of the Capitol. The Guide Service helps staff and visitors with disabilities by conducting special tours, furnishing wheelchairs, providing brochures and maps in Braille, and supplying sign language interpreters and telecommunications devices for the deaf. The Office of the Assistant Sergeant at Arms for Security and Emergency Preparedness provides the management structure to oversee and integrate security and emergency preparedness planning, policies and programs for the Senate. Working in close cooperation with the secretary of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Capitol Police, this Office is responsible for continuity of operations training and assistance to the Senate as well as integrating Senate security plans. The sergeant at arms and the secretary of the Senate work together to build the skills and abilities of Senate staff through an education and training program. The program builds professional capabilities and enables staff members to serve the Senate better. The sergeant at arms shares responsibility with other Congressional offices for the U.S. Capitol Police, the Capitol Guide Service, and the Capitol Switchboard.

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