The clerk presiding during the speaker vote is no stranger to turbulent times in the House

Cheryl Johnson, the Home clerk who has presided over the contentious votes going down this week throughout the speakership elections, isn’t any stranger to turbulent instances within the Home of Representatives.

Already, within the practically 4 years through which she has held the job, she has been current for 2 impeachment hearings in addition to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Her typical duties embrace getting ready and delivering messages to the US Senate, receiving messages from the US president and the Senate when the Home just isn’t in session, and certifying the passage of all payments and resolutions by the chamber.

This week, she has presided over the chamber and known as members to order.

Johnson was first sworn in because the thirty sixth Home Clerk by then-Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 25, 2019, and once more on January 3, 2021. Together with the Home Sergeant at Arms, she led Home impeachment managers as they walked over articles of impeachment towards Donald Trump to the US Senate in 2020 and 2021.

A local of New Orleans, Johnson acquired a bachelor’s diploma in journalism and mass communication from the College of Iowa and a legislation diploma from Howard College. Earlier than changing into a Home Clerk, she was director of the Smithsonian’s Workplace of Authorities Relations and labored with the Smithsonian for 10 years, in keeping with her bio. Johnson additionally labored on Capitol Hill for shut to twenty years in numerous roles, together with as director and counsel for the committee on Home Administration’s subcommittee on libraries and memorials and chief training and investigative counsel for the Home committee on Schooling and the Workforce. She was additionally a spokesperson and principal coverage adviser for the committee.

Since John Beckley was elected as the primary Home clerk on April 1, 1789, Johnson is one among solely 4 ladies to carry the title and the second Black particular person within the position. Robin Carle grew to become the primary feminine Home clerk in 1995. Lorraine Miller was the primary Black girl to be Home clerk in 2007 and presided over the chamber throughout speakership elections in 2009.

The Home clerk is elected each two years underneath a brand new Congress and the bulk and minority events nominate candidates after the Home speaker is elected.