Reading Clerk of the United States House of Representatives

Last updated
Reading Clerks of the United States House of Representatives
Seal of the United States House of Representatives.svg
Susan Cole.png
Republican
Susan Cole
since 2007
Tylease Alli.png
Democrat
Tylease Alli
since 2021
Inaugural holderEdward W. Barber (Democratic)
William K. Mehaffey (Republican)

The reading clerk of the United States House of Representatives reads bills, motions, and other papers before the House and keeps track of changes to legislation made on the floor. During the vote for Speaker at the beginning of each Congress, or when the electronic voting system fails, the clerk calls the roll of members for a recorded vote.

Contents

Traditionally, the reading clerks are appointed by the leaders of the majority and minority parties. For instance, Paul Hays was appointed by the then-Minority Leader Robert H. Michel, for the Republican party. Beyond this procedure for appointment, the party status has no significance.

Reading clerks work for the Office of Legislative Operations, one of nine offices that fall under the jurisdiction of the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.

List

Democratic

Reading ClerkTerm
Edward W. Barber18651869
Charles N. Clisbee18691875
18811883
T.O. Walker18831885
Thomas S. Pettit 18751881
18851889
18931895
John A. Reeve18891893
E.L. Lampson18951911
Patrick Joseph Haltigan19111937
Roger M. Calloway19371943
George J. Maurer19431965
Charles W. Hackney, Jr.19651981
Meg Goetz 19811998
Mary Kevin Niland 19982008
Jaime Zapata 20082009
Joe Novotny [1] 20102021
Tylease Alli [2] 2021present

Republican

Reading ClerkTerm
William K. Mehaffey18671875
Neill S. Brown, Jr.18751889
18931895
Azro J. Maxham18891891
James C. Broadwell18911893
R.S. Hatcher18951897
Dennis E. Alward18971911
H. Martin Williams19111919
Alney E. Chaffee 19191957
Joe Bartlett 19571971
Bob Berry19711987
Paul Hays 19882007
Susan Cole [3] 2007present

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References

  1. "First openly gay U.S. House reading clerk relishes role". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  2. "Bowie Resident Appointed as U.S. House Reading Clerk". Maryland Matters. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  3. "Susan Cole to give commencement address at APSU". Clarksville, TN Online. 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2016-04-16.