[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 Capitol Security Supplemental Funding

  Mr. TESTER. Madam President, it has been more than 200 days since the 
U.S. Capitol was attacked by mobs of anti-government insurrectionists. 
It was the darkest day for Congress in more than 200 years, since 
invading troops set this magnificent building on fire 200 years ago.
  Americans in uniform that day stepped up to protect Congress. The 
officers of the Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies 
literally put their lives on the line to protect Senators, Congressmen, 
and to protect our Constitution.
  More than 25,000 members of the National Guard also came from across 
the country to secure Capitol Hill, including from my home State of 
Montana.
  Words cannot express my thanks for what these men and women did on 
behalf of our Nation, and their service was not without sacrifice.
  Police officers were assaulted by an angry mob, and we know that 
post-traumatic stress is a real problem for many who had been to hell 
and back. The citizen soldiers of the National Guard stood watch day 
and night.
  Now, today, we find out that pay is running short for both Capitol 
Police and the members of the National Guard. The good news is that 
after weeks of Senate negotiations, we are on the verge of a bipartisan 
deal that ensures that the Capitol Police will have the money to pay 
its officers for the rest of the year.
  And as chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee, I have 
worked with Vice Chairman Shelby on two critical funding items to be 
included in this bill.
  First, we have agreed that the National Guard urgently needs $521 
million to pay them for securing this Capitol. This funding will allow 
the summer drill season to proceed without interruption. We need a 
prepared Guard.
  Second, we have learned of the substantial costs of moving Afghans 
who helped our military get out of that country safely. We owe a debt 
to those brave Afghans, who risked their lives to support our American 
troops. That debt can never be fully repaid.
  I would like to thank Chairman Leahy and Vice Chairman Shelby for 
working with me on this important bill. I hope we can seal the deal 
very soon and have this measure approved by the Senate today because it 
is our job to defend the brave officers who defended us on January 6 
and who continue their tireless work to keep us safe today.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BARRASSO. I ask unanimous consent to be able to use a prop during 
my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.