United States Capitol Authority

The United States Capitol Authority (USCA) is the Federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. The agency is housed within the legislative department of the United States federal government, and is accountable to both the United States Congress and the United States Federal Court of Appeal.

Overview
The Executive Director of the Capitol Authority is appointed by the Governor-General of the United States to a term of ten years, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from a list of three candidates recommended by the United States Capitol Board of Supervisors. Upon confirmation by the Senate, the Executive Director becomes an official of the legislative branch as an officer and agent of Congress. The Executive Director is not subject to term-limits, and may succeed himself any number of times.

The Executive Director sits on the United States Capitol Police Board, which has jurisdiction over the United States Capitol Police, and on the United States Capitol Guide Board, which has jurisdiction over the United States Capitol Guide Service.

Responsibilities
The U.S. Capitol Authority is responsible to the United States Congress and the U.S. Federal Court of Appeal for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of 17.4 million square feet of buildings and more than 553 acre of land throughout Capitol Hill. The Authority is also responsible for the upkeep and improvement of the Capitol Grounds, and the arrangement of inaugural ceremonies and other ceremonies held in the building or on the grounds. Legislation over the years has placed additional buildings and grounds under the architect of the Capitol. The Capitol Complex includes the following facilities:
 * the Capitol
 * the seven congressional office buildings
 * Cannon
 * Ford
 * Longworth
 * Rayburn
 * Russell
 * Dirksen
 * Hart
 * the Library of Congress buildings
 * the Federal Court of Appeal Building
 * the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building
 * the Federal Council Building
 * the United States Botanic Garden
 * the Capitol Power Plant
 * the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence
 * the United States Capitol Police headquarters and K9 division facilities
 * other facilities