1、Order Code 98-761 GOVUpdated March 10, 2008Clerk of the House: Legislative andAdministrative DutiesLorraine H. TongAnalyst in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance Division The Clerk is the chief legislative official of the House of Representatives. Electedby the House membership at the
2、 beginning of each Congress, the legislative duties of theClerk were defined during the First Congress. Over time, other responsibilities have been added by law, House rules, policiesdetermined by the House Appropriations and Administration Committees, and by custom.House Rule II establishes the dut
3、ies of the Clerk. For more information on congressionalprocesses, see http:/www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml.Duties and Responsibilities. At the commencement of each new Congress, theClerk presides over the House pending election of a Speaker, calls the roll, certifies newlyelected Member
4、s, preserves order and decorum, and decides all questions of order subjectto appeal by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. The Clerk is responsiblefor maintaining a Journal, and after each session of Congress, distributing it to Members,Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner; certifying