2 U.S.C. § 282 — Legislative Counsel

The Speaker of the House of Representatives manages the Office of the Legislative Counsel by appointing the Legislative Counsel to lead it. The Speaker must choose this person "without regard to political affiliation" — meaning party membership can't be a factor. The choice must be based "solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of the position," so only skill and qualifications count. The Legislative Counsel "serve[s] at the pleasure of the Speaker," which means the Speaker can remove them at any time, for any reason.