The secretary of the Senate is an elected officer responsible for an extensive array of offices and services to expedite the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Senate. The secretary keeps the legislative records of the Senate, including minutes of proceedings, calendars of business, debates, nominations, bills, and amendments. The secretary is responsible for the records of senators' elections and for receiving and transmitting official messages to and from the president and the House of Representatives. The secretary is also the chief financial officer of the Senate.
The secretary is typically present in the Senate Chamber for the opening of each day's session, and a seat beside the presiding officer is reserved for the secretary. Every act passed by the Senate is examined and signed by the secretary. In certain parliamentary circumstances, the secretary may also preside over the Senate.
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