Published: October 15, 2025
CAPITOL HILL – The House of Representatives is facing scrutiny following the announcement of acting appointments to two key administrative positions, raising concerns over adherence to standing rules and potential conflicts of interest. The appointments come amid allegations that Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah influenced the selections.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, House leadership named Beyan Sali as Acting Deputy Chief Clerk and Morris Gibson as Acting Sergeant at Arms, with the roles set to last until January 2026. The appointments follow the deaths of Deputy Chief Clerk Commicks Chea on June 1, 2025, and Sergeant at Arms Brigadier General Martin Tijani Johnson on June 11, 2025.
According to House Standing Rule 24.2, the House is required to hold elections within 90 days to fill vacancies should the occupants passed or resigned. The rule also outlines procedures for filling other critical administrative positions, including Engrossing Clerk, Enrolling Clerk, Chaplain, Stenographers, Doormen, Desktop Publisher, Reproduction Clerk, Filling Clerk, Messengers, and Recording Clerk.
The appointments of Sali and Gibson as acting officials beyond the statutory period have drawn criticism from lawmakers and staff. Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon Seboe raised a point of order, emphasizing that the extension of acting roles conflicts with the standing rules, but no immediate corrective action was taken.
An anonymous staff member described the move as a breach of procedure, alleging that Deputy Speaker Fallah had a personal interest in the appointments. According to the source, Fallah’s involvement was intended to influence the outcome of future elections for the positions. The staffer also claimed that Sali and Fallah have close ties through fraternity affiliations, further fueling perceptions of favoritism.
“The House’s own rules are being disregarded,” the source said. “These appointments should be determined by the full membership through proper elections. Allowing acting officials to remain in place undermines transparency and accountability.”
The Deputy Chief Clerk and Sergeant at Arms play central roles in managing legislative operations, including maintaining records, supervising staff, and ensuring security within the House. Prolonged acting appointments, critics argue, could compromise the effectiveness of these functions, particularly during complex legislative sessions.
Lawmakers emphasize that prompt elections for these positions are essential to uphold the integrity and independence of House operations. According to Rule 24.2, the requirement for elections within 90 days ensures that officials entrusted with administrative oversight are formally elected and accountable to the House.
The controversy has highlighted tensions between internal political dynamics and procedural adherence within the Legislature. While Deputy Speaker Fallah has not publicly commented on the allegations, sources within the House confirm that he was actively involved in discussions surrounding the acting appointments, leading to perceptions that his influence shaped the outcome.
Several lawmakers have called for adherence to the standing rules and the scheduling of elections to fill the vacancies. They argue that respecting these procedures is crucial for ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness in the management of House affairs.
As the acting officials continue in their roles, questions remain about the legality of the extended appointments and the degree of influence exercised by Deputy Speaker Fallah. Lawmakers and staff are closely monitoring the situation, with attention on whether the House will conduct the mandated elections as expected on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, or this Thursday, October 16, 2025, or before the end of the year.
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