[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 13 (Friday, January 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             NATIONAL GUARD

  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

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