2 U.S.C. § 287b — Staff; Deputy Parliamentarian; delegation of functions

(a) With the Speaker's approval, or following policies and procedures the Speaker has approved, the Parliamentarian hires the attorneys and other employees needed to run the Office promptly and efficiently. Hiring must ignore political affiliation and be based only on fitness for the job. The Parliamentarian, again with the Speaker's approval or under Speaker-approved policies, can remove anyone hired this way. (b)(1) One of the attorneys hired under subsection (a) is named Deputy Parliamentarian by the Parliamentarian. Whenever the Parliamentarian is absent, unable to serve, or the office is vacant, the Deputy Parliamentarian performs the Parliamentarian's duties. (2) The Parliamentarian may hand off to the Deputy Parliamentarian and other employees hired under subsection (a) whichever of the Parliamentarian's duties the Parliamentarian considers necessary or appropriate.