History

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the U.S. House of Representatives was created during the 104th Congress (1995-1997). The predecessor to the CAO was the Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services.

The Chief Administrative Officer is nominated by the Speaker of the House, elected by a majority of the House at the start of each Congress, and subject to the oversight of the Committee on House Administration. If there is a mid-Congress vacancy, the Speaker of the House may nominate a replacement to serve until the start of a new Congress. Our current Chief Administrative Officer, Catherine Szpindor, was sworn in as the CAO on January 3, 2021, during the first session of the 117th Congress. She is the ninth person to serve as CAO since the position was created.