[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING REOPENING THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL BUILDING AND SENATE 
                OFFICE BUILDINGS TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

  Mr. HAGERTY. Madam President, I rose in this Chamber 2 weeks ago to 
again urge the Senate to reopen the U.S. Capitol and to reopen the 
Senate office buildings. At that time, Democrats objected to my 
resolution in support of reopening. Two weeks later, it has become even 
more clear that the American public is tired of government mandates and 
of COVID shutdowns.
  Democrats have exploited the pandemic to execute a power grab over 
American life--a power grab that allows Democrats to dictate whether 
children can attend schools, whether Americans can keep their jobs and 
operate their businesses, and how elections are conducted. These Big 
Government lockdowns and mandates have caused irreparable damage that 
will be felt for generations to come. As we move ahead, we mustn't lose 
sight of this lesson.
  On the bright side, even the Biden administration is seeing the poll 
numbers, and they are adjusting the science accordingly. On Friday, the 
CDC changed its guidance once again. Now indoor masks are not 
recommended for most Americans. Masks are no longer required on either 
side of the Capitol Building. Why, even Washington, DC, has opened up 
and lifted its mask mandate. Amazingly, all of this happened just in 
time for the State of the Union Address.
  The only science that is being followed here is the political 
science, but, thankfully, America is returning to normal. Americans 
everywhere are safely living their lives--going to work and school, 
visiting stores, attending events, and gathering with their families 
and their friends. They shouldn't have to know somebody in order to 
visit their Representatives, to take a tour of the Capitol, to get into 
this building.
  It is time for the lockdown on democracy to come to an end. Today, I 
am once again asking my colleagues to rejoin reality and reopen the 
Capitol to those to whom it belongs--the American people.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Rules 
and Administration be discharged from further consideration and that 
the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 512.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 512) supporting reopening the United 
     States Capitol Building and Senate Office Buildings to the 
     American people.

  There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the 
Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
  Mr. HAGERTY. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to; that the preamble be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider 
be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 512) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of 
February 15, 2022, under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. HAGERTY. Madam President, I am glad that the Senate has agreed to 
my resolution to reopen the Capitol, and I urge the House of 
Representatives to pass a very similar resolution that was introduced 
in that body so that all parts of the Capitol Complex are open to the 
American people.
  I also stand ready to work with my colleagues and with the Capitol 
Police to implement this resolution so that we can welcome the American 
people back into their Capitol as soon as possible.
  I yield the floor.

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