Edit Organization: Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate

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Mission:	To serve as the chief law enforcement and protocol officer of the U.S. Senate, ensuring security, order, and operational support for senators, staff, and visitors while managing a wide array of administrative and technological services.
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Services:	Security and Law Enforcement; Protocol Coordination; IT and Communications Support; Administrative Services
Regulations:	Title 2 U.S.C. § 6617
Headquarters Location:	Calculate coordinates using address
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'''Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate''' is the highest-ranking federal law enforcement officer of the Senate, elected by senators since April 7, 1789, responsible for security in the Capitol’s Senate wing, protocol duties like escorting dignitaries, and managing nearly 1,000 staff to support Senate operations. {{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.senate.gov/reference/office/sergeant_at_arms.htm}} ==Mission== The Sergeant at Arms (SAA) aims to maintain a secure and functional Senate environment by enforcing rules, protecting members, and overseeing the Capitol’s Senate side. It coordinates official events, manages technology and support services, and ensures legislative continuity, serving all senators impartially despite being selected by the majority party. ==Parent organization== The SAA operates under the [[United States Senate]], within the [[United States Congress]], as an elected office accountable directly to the Senate body for its law enforcement and administrative roles. ==Legislation== The office was established by a Senate Resolution on April 7, 1789, appointing the first Doorkeeper, James Mathers, during the 1st Congress, with the title “Sergeant at Arms” added in 1798; its law enforcement authority is codified in [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/6617 Title 2 U.S.C. § 6617] (2000). ==Partners== * U.S. Capitol Police for security oversight via the Capitol Police Board * House Sergeant at Arms for joint protocol duties * Architect of the Capitol for facility management ==Number of employees== The SAA employs just under 1,000 full-time staff as of 2025, per Senate estimates, including security personnel, IT specialists, and administrative support, with numbers varying slightly by congressional needs. ==Organization structure== The SAA is structured to handle security, protocol, and support services: ===Leader=== The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper is currently Karen H. Gibson, elected in March 2021, leading the office with a Deputy (Kelly Fado) and Chief of Staff (Jennifer Hemingway) as of 2025. ===Divisions=== The divisions include: * Security Operations for Capitol and Senate building protection. * Protocol Services for official events and processions. * Technology and Support Services for IT, media, and administrative needs. ==List of programs== * Senate Cybersecurity Program * Capitol Telephone Exchange (24/7 operator services) * Senate Page Program (shared with Secretary of the Senate) ==Last total enacted budget== The SAA’s specific budget is not publicly isolated; it’s funded within the Senate’s FY 2024 budget of $1.1 billion, supporting staff, security, and services like broadcasting and IT, with no exact figure disclosed. ==Staff== The SAA’s nearly 1,000 staff include law enforcement officers, doorkeepers, IT professionals, media specialists, and administrative personnel, managed from the Postal Square Building, with some stationed at the Capitol for floor and gallery duties. ==Funding== Since 1789, the SAA has been funded through Senate appropriations, with FY 2024’s $1.1 billion budget covering its operations, supplemented by shared Capitol Police Board resources. ==Services provided== The SAA secures the Senate wing and buildings, escorts dignitaries (e.g., during inaugurations), manages IT and Senate broadcasts, provides printing and mailing services, oversees pages, and can compel senator attendance or arrest rule violators, supporting daily operations and major events like the State of the Union. ==Regulations overseen== The SAA enforces Senate rules under [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/6617 Title 2 U.S.C. § 6617], including arrest powers and quorum enforcement, and regulates the Senate wing per Committee on Rules and Administration directives, but does not create laws. ==Headquarters address== Postal Square Building, 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20510 ==History== Created on April 7, 1789, as the Doorkeeper to address quorum issues in the 1st Congress, the title Sergeant at Arms was added in 1798 after empowering James Mathers to compel attendance during William Blount’s impeachment. It evolved from securing closed sessions to managing public galleries (1795), supervising pages (1829), and overseeing IT and security post-20th century, with notable transitions like Karen Gibson’s 2021 election as the first woman-led team. ==Related== See Also Links to related programs articles or organizations: * [[United States Senate]] * [[U.S. Capitol Police]] * [[House Sergeant at Arms]] ==External links== * [https://www.senate.gov/reference/office/sergeant_at_arms.htm Official Website] * [[wikipedia:Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate]] * [https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/sergeant-at-arms.htm SAA Overview] ==References== <references />

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