U.S. Capitol
West front of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
What is the role of the parliamentarians in the U.S. Congress?
Congressional parliamentarians The legislative business of the U.S. Congress is governed by parliamentary procedure—agreed-upon and published rules, precedents, and practices that organize and direct legislators’ work in session. These rules are set to maintain decorum, determine the will of the majority, preserve the rights of the minority, and facilitate the orderly transaction of business. Because these procedures can be incredibly complex, each chamber of Congress has a parliamentarian who provides authoritative, objective, and nonpartisan guidance...