Rule II House of Representatives

The second rule of the House of Representatives concerns other officers and officials. Unlike the Speaker - who, by convention is a member of the House (the Constitution does not restrict it to members - and in fact in 105th Congress two former members were nominated), the other officers are non-members. The rule distinguishes between official elected by the House



and Offices, whose head is appointed. The Elected Officials are

The Clerk - duties are related to the conduct of House business, they are further described here.
The Sergeant at Arms - responsible for maintaining order and security. A factsheet is available here
Chief Administrative Officer - deals with operation and financial matters of the House. More details here
Chaplain - officers a prayer at the start of business, and some pastoral responsibilities. Further details here.

The Offices are

Office of Inspector General
Office of General Counsel - provides legal assistance and representation to the House
Office of the Historian.

In addition statute provides for the following offices

Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Office of Compliance
Office of Legislative Counsel
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Office of the Law revision Counsel
Office of the Parliamentarian

For a list of other House offices, commissions, and joint entities go here.

Prayers

The first item of business in all four Houses covered by this blog (UK - Commons; Lords US - Representatives; Senate)is prayers. The main difference being that whilst in the USA the public can see prayers (and the prayers may include them) - in the UK prayers are held in private. No one is allowed into the visitors galleries until prayers are finished.

It is believed that prayers at the start of Commons' business dates back to about 1558.

In the Commons the Speaker's Chaplain usually reads the prayers. The form of the main prayer is as follows:

"Lord, the God of righteousness and truth, grant to our Queen and her government, to Members of Parliament and all in positions of responsibility, the guidance of your Spirit. May they never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals but laying aside all private interests and prejudices keep in mind their responsibility to seek to improve the condition of all mankind; so may your kingdom come and your name be hallowed.

Amen."

The prayers in the Lords are led by one of the 26 bishops who sit in the House. (if all are unable to attend there are a number of ordained ministers who could substitute). The prayers which are used are listed here.

Both houses of Congress have their own chaplains - though guest chaplains may be invited.

In a recent interview the Senate Chaplain discussed his role (which caused some controversy because, unlike in the UK, there should be separation of Church & State)