Now it’s time for the House to elect administrative officers, including the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Chaplain.

What happens next?

The chairman of the conference of the majority party offers a resolution nominating its candidates for House officer positions.

The minority party proposes its own roster of candidates as an amendment to the majority party's resolution and requests a division of the question on the resolution so that the Chaplain can be elected on a separate vote.

The House notifies the Senate and the President that it has elected its leaders, is assembled, and is ready to receive messages.

Once the House officers have been elected, the majority and minority leaders and two Senators appointed by the Vice President (traditionally the Senate majority and minority leaders) call the President with the news that the Congress is ready to begin its work. The Clerk is directed to inform the President who the House elected as Speaker and as Clerk.

Learn more about the House administrative officers! Visit Web sites for the Chaplain, the Clerk, and the Sergeant at Arms!