Sergeant at Arms of The United States Senate - Office of The Senate Sergeant at Arms

Office of The Senate Sergeant At Arms

On April 7, 1789, when the Senate created the position of doorkeeper and appointed James T. Mathers to the position, it empowered him to ensure that senators stayed in the Senate Chamber to start the business of government. They did this because the United States Constitution states that to “constitute a Quorum to do business,” the Senate requires the presence of a majority of its members. The Senate had difficulty establishing its first quorum; the Senate first met on March 4, 1789, but did not achieve its first quorum until April 6, 1789—the day before it elected its first doorkeeper. Over the years, the title and duties of the doorkeeper grew. The title is now “Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper,” and the sergeant at arms now serves the Senate as its chief law enforcement officer, protocol officer, and executive officer. Elected by the senators, each sergeant at arms serves from Congress to Congress until a successor is chosen. Since this is an elected position, the majority party in the Senate selects the sergeant at arms, but once elected, sergeants at arms serve all members of the Senate.