[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 198 (Friday, November 20, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H6008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PRESERVING PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS

  (Mr. CASTEN of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to all of 
our Federal employees.
  Thank you for the dignity you have shown during the last 4 years. For 
every Alexander Vindman who was forced into the public spotlight, there 
are thousands more quiet patriots behind him, and we are grateful. But 
we also need your help.
  Congress is still waiting to receive thousands of documents from the 
Trump administration. Multiple White House officials have been 
communicating through undocumented, nonofficial channels. Many more are 
still blocking the release of information that directly pertains to 
their work for the United States Government, and that is illegal.
  Why this administration is afraid of transparency is tomorrow's 
question. But today, every Federal agency must preserve those 
documents. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 and the Federal Records 
Act of 1950 exist to ensure that no President enters office with our 
adversaries knowing more about the prior 4 years than they do.
  We need your vigilance over the next 61 days to ensure those laws are 
honored.
  When elected officials failed us, we could still count on you. Now, 
once more into the breach, dear friends, once more.

                          ____________________