Office of General
Counsel of the House of Represenatives
of the United States
House of Representatives Rule II, Section VIII
"There is established an Office of General Counsel for the purpose of
providing legal assistance and representation to the House. Legal assistance and representation shall
be provided without regard to political affiliation. The Office of General Counsel shall function
pursuant to the direction of the Speaker, who shall consult with a Bipartisan
Legal Advisory Group, which shall include the majority and minority
leaderships.* The Speaker shall appoint and set the annual rate of pay
for employees of the Office of General Counsel."
*This rule means the Office of General Council for the House of Representatives of the United States could not notify Karen D. Utiger to represent the members of the House of Representatives without the explicit direction and instructions of the Speaker of the House as well as the leadership of both the majority and minority parties in Congress.