National Guard

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now, it came to our attention last night that members of the National Guard, after standing on duty to protect the Capitol for Inauguration Day, keeping us safe, were sleeping in parking garages and cramped quarters without proper space or ventilation. It was utterly unacceptable.

I have told those who run the security of the Capitol that it can never happen again, and I pledge to every National Guard member that it will not happen again.

The minute I heard about this outrage last night, we made sure it was fixed immediately. Every member of the Guard was found proper accommodations inside, and, as of this morning, everyone was accounted for and taken care of.

This morning I went over to the CVC and I spoke to a number of Guardsmen personally to make sure they were OK.

I want to thank Senators Hassan, Duckworth, Kelly, and Heinrich for their work on this matter last night, as well as Senator Lujan, who went around late at night to make sure things were OK, as well. And I want to thank all the Members who were concerned and lent a hand.

I also want to particularly thank Acting Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway, who, when we told her about this situation, patrolled the floors of the Capitol Complex until past 3 a.m. to ensure that no one was left behind or not where they belonged. And she was back at her desk first thing today to follow up.

We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the men and women who worked to keep us safe on January 6 and the days since. A situation like last night will never happen again

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source