[20030822]RS20456_众议院牧师：选择和相关程序.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20456Updated August 22, 2003Chaplain of the House: Selection and Related ProceduresPaul S. Rundquist and Richard S. BethSpecialists in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryOn March 23, 2000, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert announced his appointment of Rev.Daniel P. Coughlin, a Roman Catholic priest from Chicago, to serve as acting Chaplainof the House. Earlier in the day, the House accepted by unanimous consent theresignation of Rev. James David Ford as Chaplain. During the first session of the 106thCongress, Chaplain Ford announced his intention to retire after 20 years of service.Chaplain Coughlin was formally elected to the post at the beginning of the 107thCongress and was re-elected at the start of the 108th Congress. House procedures to elect an officer during a Congress differ from those followedat the start of a Congress. A resolution to elect a replacement officer to fill a vacancyduring a Congress is privileged and debatable under the hour rule. By statute, theSpeaker has authority to appoint a temporary replacement officer, and in s