Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives

Without debate, the first federal Congress created the doorkeeper's position by resolution on April 2, 1789.

The doorkeeper controlled access to the House chamber and eventually oversaw the press in the gallery.

The doorkeeper’s most visible job was introducing American presidents and foreign dignitaries to Congress.

For 18 years, before the State of the Union address, Doorkeeper James T. Molloy announced, "Mister Speaker, the president of the United States.”[1] The Office of the Doorkeeper was abolished during the 104th Congress (Pub.

[2] Thirty-three doorkeepers served until the position was abolished and the office's duties were divided among the sergeant at arms, the clerk of the House, and the newly created chief administrative officer.