[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 13 (Friday, January 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             NATIONAL GUARD

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, yesterday evening, we learned that some 
of the National Guard forces who were helping protect the Capitol 
Complex were being made to rest in parking garages between their 
shifts. I don't think a single Senator feels that was acceptable. I am 
glad the situation was resolved, and I hope we learn exactly what 
happened.
  In that regard, I want to thank all the National Guard, including 
more than 300 Kentucky Guardsmen, and local and Federal law enforcement 
who helped supplement our very own Capitol Police in the wake of 
January 6. Your Congress and your country appreciate all you have done 
to secure the Capitol and the inauguration.
  Later today, I will have the honor of meeting a number of my 
Kentuckians who have been helping out here at the Capitol. It is going 
to be the highlight of my day.
  In the near future, Congress needs to smartly transition toward a 
more sustainable security presence. Keeping the Capitol safe cannot and 
will not require huge numbers of uniformed troops and vast systems of 
emergency fencing to remain in place forever. With the inauguration 
behind us, we should find the right middle ground between the 
unacceptable lapses 3 weeks ago and the extraordinary short-term 
measures that have been put in place since that time. In the meantime, 
we need to make darn sure that we look after the men and women who look 
after us.

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