This measure is a House Resolution (H. Res. 1) that formally elects three officers of the House of Representatives: Kevin McCumber as Clerk, William McFarland as Sergeant-at-Arms, and Catherine Szpindor as Chief Administrative Officer.
The action is implemented through three distinct "Resolved" clauses in the text.
The resolution is a procedural, organizational step that names the individuals who will assume critical administrative and procedural duties at the start of the session. By design, it provides a formal, immediate appointment, ensuring there is no ambiguity about who holds these offices and who is responsible for the official records, security, and day-to-day operations of the House.
The measure does not alter duties or powers beyond establishing the named officers for the current session.
At a Glance
What It Does
The bill designates three individuals to executive positions in the House: Clerk (McCumber), Sergeant-at-Arms (McFarland), and Chief Administrative Officer (Szpindor). The action is effected via three Resolved clauses, creating immediate, formal appointments.
Who It Affects
Directly affects the House’s administrative workforce and leadership offices—the Clerk’s office, the Sergeant-at-Arms office, and the Chief Administrative Officer’s office—as well as Members of the House who rely on these offices for procedural support, security, and staff management.
Why It Matters
Establishes clear, formal leadership for core House functions at the outset of the session, ensuring continuity in records management, security, and administrative operations for Members and staff.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill is a straightforward administrative action that names three individuals to key House offices. Kevin McCumber is chosen as Clerk of the House, responsible for official records, documentation of proceedings, and the flow of legislative information.
William McFarland is chosen as Sergeant-at-Arms, responsible for security, maintenance of order on the floor, and protocol. Catherine Szpindor is chosen as Chief Administrative Officer, overseeing human resources, facilities, information technology, and general office management.
There is no change to the powers or duties of these offices beyond identifying the individuals who will fill them. The text uses a series of three Resolved statements to effect the appointments, reflecting a standard opening-procedures action for a new Congress.
The Attest clause indicates the Clerk’s role in certifying the resolution’s adoption. This is a routine, non-substantive organizational step intended to ensure uninterrupted House operations from day one.
Taken together, the measure signals formal recognition of these officers and sets expectations for their leadership at a moment when institutional procedures and administrative continuity are essential.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill designates Kevin McCumber as Clerk of the House.
The bill designates William McFarland as Sergeant-at-Arms of the House.
The bill designates Catherine Szpindor as Chief Administrative Officer of the House.
The action is enacted through three Resolved clauses, indicating immediate appointment.
It is a House Resolution (H. Res. 1) introduced at the start of the 119th Congress on January 3, 2025.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Election of Clerk of the House
This provision names Kevin McCumber as Clerk of the House. As Clerk, the office serves as the official records custodian, manages the administration of floor proceedings, and oversees procedural documentation. The clause confirms McCumber’s authority to perform these functions without additional authorization, anchoring the office’s leadership for the current session.
Election of Sergeant-at-Arms
This provision names William McFarland as Sergeant-at-Arms. The Sergeant-at-Arms is responsible for security, access control, and ceremonial protocol within the House. By explicitly electing McFarland, the measure ensures a named individual to oversee security operations and related duties from the outset of the session.
Election of Chief Administrative Officer
This provision names Catherine Szpindor as Chief Administrative Officer. The CAO typically supervises administrative functions such as staff management, facilities, and IT services, coordinating with other House offices to support operations. The clause ensures a fixed leadership point for administrative services during the session.
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Explore Government in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Members of the House benefit from formal, stable leadership in the Clerk’s, Sergeant-at-Arms’, and CAO’s offices, enabling smoother proceedings and better access to records and security.
- House floor staff and committees gain predictable administrative support and clearer accountability through named officeholders.
- The Clerk’s, Sergeant-at-Arms’, and CAO’s offices gain legitimacy and authority the moment the resolution is adopted, reducing ambiguity in day-to-day operations.
Who Bears the Cost
- House operating budgets must fund salaries and benefits for the three officers.
- Security, facilities, and IT budgets may incur higher baseline costs under a named Sergeant-at-Arms and CAO.
- Any personnel changes, training, or administrative realignments required to accommodate the new leadership may entail short-term costs for the affected offices.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central tension is balancing rapid, formal staffing with the need for accountability and adaptability. The House can benefit from immediate, clear leadership, but assigning specific individuals at the outset raises questions about tenure, adaptability to evolving needs, and how future leadership changes will be managed within the same procedural framework.
The measure is a straightforward naming of individuals to three offices and does not, by itself, redefine duties, tenure, or the hierarchy beyond the appointments. It relies on the existing statutory and procedural framework for how these offices operate and interact with Members and committees.
Questions that commonly arise in practice include how long these appointments last and whether future sessions will require new resolutions to confirm replacements. The resolution also presumes the availability and suitability of the named individuals to perform their roles, without detailing performance standards or oversight mechanisms.
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