Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and 24 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of re-opening the U.S. Capitol Building and Senate office buildings to public visitation under pre-COVID policies.
“The Capitol is the people’s house, and there is no reason the American people should be kept outside of Senate offices. We are ready to welcome North Dakotans back into our office, so they can speak to elected officials and my staff and see democracy in action,” said Senator Cramer. “All across the nation, schools, and businesses are reopening, and our resolution calls on the Senate to reopen as well.”
“It is long-past time for the Senate to re-open its doors to those who sent us here to represent them—the American people,” said Senator Hagerty. “Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, vaccines have been available for over a year for those who want them, and Americans from coast to coast have learned to live their lives safely despite the pandemic. From stores to venues and most workplaces and schools, the rest of the United States has re-opened, and it’s time for the Senate to do the same.”
The Capitol and Senate office buildings have remained largely closed to the public for nearly two years, despite most of America re-opened long ago for gatherings and regular business. This closure has restricted lawmakers’ ability to welcome constituents to their offices and arrange tours of the Capitol.
The resolution recognizes the importance of reopening the U.S. Capitol and Senate office buildings to the public and supports returning to the pre-COVID public visitation policies for areas within Senate jurisdiction.
Senators Cramer and Hagerty are joined on the resolution by more than half of the Senate Republican Conference, including Senators John Thune (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), James Inhofe (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Braun (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rand Paul (R-KY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Boozman (R-AR), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Jim Risch (R-ID).