[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 28, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CAPITOL SECURITY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, yesterday, our colleagues Chairman 
Leahy and Ranking Member Shelby announced a bipartisan agreement on 
emergency funding for several pressing security matters.
  The Appropriations Committee set out to address three key priorities:
  First, reimbursing the costs incurred by the Capitol Police, the 
National Guard, and other law enforcement for their assistance during 
and after the January 6 attack on the Capitol; and providing for 
necessary repairs and security updates to the Capitol Complex.
  Second, addressing a shortfall from the efforts to keep Congress a 
safe and functional workplace during the pandemic this past year and a 
half. This is everything from PPE to overtime pay for staff.
  And, third, some urgent support for our Afghan partners who have 
assisted in the fight against terrorism and now seek to flee the 
deteriorating situation brought about by the administration's literally 
disastrous decision to abandon that country.
  We owe a real debt to the men and women of the Capitol Police, DC 
Metro Police, National Guard, and other agencies who helped secure and 
protect our workplace. We are grateful to support staff, from the 
Architect of the Capitol's team to the Attending Physician's office, to 
the Sergeant at Arms, who have worked day and night keeping us 
functioning safely throughout the pandemic.
  And we intend to keep our Nation's promises to brave Afghans who have 
taken great risks to help Americans and our partners fight the 
terrorists.
  So I applaud the bipartisan work of our colleagues. I am sure neither 
side finds the compromise perfect, but I believe that both sides should 
and will agree it is absolutely necessary.

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