Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. DeLAURO. I thank the gentleman, Madam Speaker, for yielding. I just might say that just as this is his first time in chairing the subcommittee--and congratulations--it is my first time chairing the full committee. So we are on the same page. I want to thank both the chair and the ranking member for their work on this bill.

Madam Speaker, as the oldest modern democracy in the world, the United States exemplifies the success and long-term sustainability of democratic governance and of the great American experiment. If we fail in this experiment, then we fail to honor our sacred duty not only to our own citizens, but to America as an ideal.

The events of January 6 threatened that ideal. The brutal, violent assault on our Capitol was an attack on the cradle of our democracy and against liberty. It was a determined and violent insurrection aimed at stopping the peaceful transfer of power; something that the United States has exemplified in its history. It was an attack not just against this building, but on America's example to the world.

This bill also honors the sacrifices of the brave women and men in uniform who risked their lives defending this institution shockingly on display at the first hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. It gives these heroes the funding, the resources, and the training they need to ensure what happened on January 6 never happens again. It also says: We respect what you do.

It includes measures to provide more transparency, diversity, and leadership training for the Capitol Police to standardize vetting and routinely review staff for employment suitability, to provide for the wellness and the well-being of our Capitol Police.

While securing the Capitol Police must be our top priority, we must also ensure the institution within these walls remains strong. I am proud that this bill provides increased funding for the Members' Representational Allowance, for standing committees, for select committees, and for leadership offices to help retain and recruit a talented and a diverse workforce. To grow opportunity and create a diverse hiring pipeline, it expands paid internship opportunities while providing the authorization for Dreamers to work in congressional offices.

Together, Madam Speaker, the initiatives in this bill will not only protect the Congress and our democracy, they also strengthen and sustain it. I urge support for the bill.

Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), who is the distinguished ranking member.

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