[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 17, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6944-H6945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FURTHER LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

  (Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, would the leader give us 
some indication as to why we would adjourn after 3 o'clock? If there is 
a risk of possible exposure by staying around, then I would ask the 
leader why is it we are staying in for another 3 hours and continuing 
to possibly expose employees of this building?
  There is a line that is about 100 long around the Physician's Office 
right now waiting to be tested. It seems to me we have responsibility 
at this time to know what the facts are and to be able to operate in a 
way that is consistent with whatever clinical judgment the Physician's 
Office gives us.
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, again, during our discussions earlier this 
morning between the minority leader, the Speaker and myself with the 
House Physician, Dr. Eisold, it was clear that we did not feel, 
according to the doctor's advice, that anyone was in imminent danger at 
this moment, and that there were Members from some offices, 
particularly from the other side of the building, that were taking 
these precautionary screening tests and it was considered advised.
  On the House side at this time there was seen to be no imminent 
danger, but as a matter of prudence and in the interests of what I 
would call the research protocol of establishing a clearly defined base 
from which to proceed, it was advised that when we complete our 
business today, that we surrender the properties for the purposes of 
that sweep and that establishment.
  There has been and is no announced time by which we would complete 
our work because that would depend, of course, on the flow of the work. 
But we believe Members all appreciate the seriousness of the situation.
  We see the work is going expeditiously on the floor. As we return to 
that floor and complete that work, then I would advise the gentleman to 
have your staff complete their work and depart the properties. I think 
there is no reason to be concerned about having to rush out of here 
because the actual research, sweeping, will begin in the morning, and 
we will have given then these people the opportunity to

[[Page H6945]]

access all our facilities and do this job properly.
  So I would encourage Members not to feel a sense of anxiety or 
concern about any of their folks being in immediate danger. If any have 
any sense of concern, they might want to take their less critical 
personnel and encourage them to leave early. I do not think that is 
necessary, but I think at this point it is well within the sense of 
discretion of the individual Member and their office.

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