Title 2, The CongressRelease 119-110

§2242 Duties of Employees of Capitol Guide Service

Title 2 › CHAPTER 31 — CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER › SUBCHAPTER IV — CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE AND OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES › Part A — Capitol Guide Service › § 2242

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Capitol Guide Service must give free guided tours inside the United States Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center, so the public can learn about the building. Guide Service employees must not charge or accept any fees or tips. All tours must follow rules set by the Architect of the Capitol after the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation. The Architect of the Capitol, after recommendation by the Chief Executive Officer, can set how many guide jobs exist (if money is available), hire a Chief Guide and deputies and other guides based on fitness and not political party, and—with approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration—set duties and pay. The Architect can discipline employees (for example, suspend without pay, cut pay, demote, or fire), require uniforms and provide them free, get advice from private historical groups, and set operational rules (like routes, hours, group size, staff-led tours, and non-law-enforcement event support). The CEO must coordinate accessible tours with the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. The Architect must also assign guides to help the Capitol Police for inaugurations, official receptions, or other special events when asked. The rules take effect on the transfer date.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §2242

The Congress, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Provision of guided tours

(1)Tours

In accordance with this section, the Capitol Guide Service shall provide without charge guided tours of the interior of the United States Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center, for the education and enlightenment of the general public.

(2)Acceptance of fees prohibited

An employee of the Capitol Guide Service shall not charge or accept any fee, or accept any gratuity, for or on account of the official services of that employee.

(3)Regulations of the Architect of the Capitol

All such tours shall be conducted in compliance with regulations approved by the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer.

(b)Authority of the Architect of the Capitol

In providing for the direction, supervision, and control of the Capitol Guide Service, the Architect of the Capitol, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, is authorized to—

(1)subject to the availability of appropriations, establish and revise such number of positions of Guide in the Capitol Guide Service as the Architect of the Capitol considers necessary to carry out effectively the activities of the Capitol Guide Service;

(2)appoint, on a permanent basis without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of fitness to perform their duties, a Chief Guide and such deputies as the Architect of the Capitol considers appropriate for the effective administration of the Capitol Guide Service and, in addition, such number of Guides as may be authorized;

(3)with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, with respect to the individuals appointed under paragraph (2)—

(A)prescribe the individual’s duties and responsibilities; and

(B)fix, and adjust from time to time, respective rates of pay at single per annum (gross) rates;

(4)with respect to the individuals appointed under paragraph (2), take appropriate disciplinary action, including, when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay, reduction in pay, demotion, or termination of employment with the Capitol Guide Service, against any employee who violates any provision of this section or any regulation prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol under paragraph (8);

(5)prescribe a uniform dress, including appropriate insignia, which shall be worn by personnel of the Capitol Guide Service;

(6)from time to time and as may be necessary, procure and furnish such uniforms to such personnel without charge to such personnel;

(7)receive and consider advice and information from any private historical or educational organization, association, or society with respect to those operations of the Capitol Guide Service which involve the furnishing of historical and educational information to the general public; and

(8)with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, prescribe such regulations as the Architect of the Capitol considers necessary and appropriate for the operation of the Capitol Guide Service, including regulations with respect to tour routes and hours of operation, number of visitors per guide, staff-led tours, and non-law enforcement security and special event related support.

(c)Provision of accessible tours in coordination with Office of Congressional Accessibility Services

The Chief Executive Officer shall coordinate the provision of accessible tours for individuals with disabilities with the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services established under part B.

(d)Detail of personnel

The Architect of the Capitol shall detail personnel of the Capitol Guide Service based on a request from the Capitol Police Board to assist the United States Capitol Police by providing ushering and informational services, and other services not directly involving law enforcement, in connection with—

(1)the inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States;

(2)the official reception of representatives of foreign nations and other persons by the Senate or House of Representatives; or

(3)other special or ceremonial occasions in the United States Capitol or on the United States Capitol Grounds that—

(A)require the presence of additional Government personnel; and

(B)cause the temporary suspension of the performance of regular duties.

(e)Effective date

This section shall take effect on the transfer date.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 2242

Title 2, The Congress

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110