The People’s House — Without the People
The Capitol remains closed to the public.
by Debra J. Saunders
March 12, 2022, 10:46 PM
It’s been close to two years since Congress closed its doors to the public to slow the spread of COVID-19. While states and local governments are discarding their COVID-19 rules and shutdowns, the U.S. Capitol remains off-limits to the general public.
With most Americans back at work, eating out, and gathering in large crowds, it’s time for Congress to join the party and welcome the American people into “The People’s House,” not float the Jan. 6 Capitol riot as reason to keep the public outside.
Toward that end, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., introduced a resolution to reopen the Capitol Building by April 4.
“It’s time for Capitol Hill to return to normal,” Hagerty wrote in the Tennessean. “The openness of the halls of Congress and public participation in the legislative process have always been the hallmarks of American democracy, which is why this inexplicable lockdown must end.”
Senate Democrats held up the resolution at first but then joined Republicans and passed the measure by unanimous consent.
At the moment, visitors must go through a senator’s or member’s office to be escorted inside the building.
The House has not passed such a measure.
“This is not a facile issue,” Mark B. Harkins of the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University told me.
“Absolutely we should have the Capitol open for people to see,” Harkins added. “It’s a democracy, and we need to see our members in their working environment. However, we need to make sure that we do it in a way that is safe for all, including visitors, the staff, and members.”
He fears a repeat riot.
more
https://spectator.org/the-peoples-house-without-the-people/
