Reply #55: well, it wasn't exactly directly behind

[blogslut]

I did find the rules on staff/senate/floor:

FLOOR ACCESS RULES:

* Former Members are prohibited from being on the floor (including the Speaker's Lobby and cloakrooms) if any matter in which they have a personal or pecuniary interest or are employed or retained as a lobbyist is pending before the House. Matters are considered pending once full or subcommittee hearings have been held, or once a bill or resolution has been called up by a full or subcommittee.

* Committee staff are permitted on the floor only during the consideration of measures reported from their committees. A maximum of five committee staff (for the majority and minority) is permitted.

* Personal staff are not permitted on the floor of the House except when their Member has an amendment actually pending under the five-minute rule. A Member offering an amendment under the five-minute rule may be accompanied by one personal staff Member.

* Staff are not permitted to pass out literature or otherwise attempt to influence Members or their votes.

http://www.rules.house.gov/archives/house_decorum.htm