Both Schumer and McConnell today spoke on Senate floor today on the mistreatment of National Guard members last night who are providing security at the US Capitol.
Schumer:"It came to our attention last night that mbrs of the National Guard, after standing on duty to protect the Capitol for Inauguration Day, keeping us safe, were sleeping in parking garages, in cramped quarters, w/o proper space or ventilation. It was utterly unacceptable."
Schumer: "I have told those who run the security of the Capitol that it can never happen again. And I pledge to every National Guard member that it will not happen again."
Schumer: "The minute I heard about this outrage last night, we made sure it was fixed immediately. Every member of the guard was found proper accommodations inside and as of this morning, everyone was accounted for and taken care of."
Schumer: "This morning, I went over to the CDC, and I spoke to a number of Guardsmen personally to make sure they were okay."
Schumer:"I want to thank Senators Hassan, Duckworth, Kelly, & Heinrich for their work on this matter last night, as well as Senator Luján, who went around late at night to make sure things were okay as well. And I want to thank all the members who were concerned and lent a hand."
Schumer"I also want to particularly thank Acting SAA Jennifer Hemingway,who when we told her of this situation,patrolled the flrs of Capitol complex until past 3a to ensure no one was left behind or not where they belonged.& She was back at her desk 1st thing today to follow up."
Schumer: "We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the men and women who worked to keep us all safe on January 6th and the days since. A situation like last night will never happen again."
McConnell from Senate floor: "Yesterday evening, we learned that some of the National Guard forces who have been helping protect the Capitol complex were being made to rest in parking garages between their shifts. I don’t think a single Senator feels that was acceptable."
McConnell: "I am glad the situation was resolved and I hope we learn exactly what happened."
McConnell: “I want to again thank all the National Guard, including more than 300 Kentucky Guardsmen, and local and federal law enforcement who have helped supplement our very own Capitol Police in the wake of January the 6th..."
McConnell:"Your Congress and your country appreciate all you’ve done to secure the Capitol and the inauguration. Later today, I’ll have the honor of meeting a number of my fellow Kentuckians who have been helping out here at the Capitol. It’s going to be the highlight of my day."
McConnell on US Capitol security:“In the near future, Congress needs to smartly transition twd a more sustainable security presence.Keeping the Capitol safe cannot & will not require huge numbers of uniformed troops & vast systems of emergency fencing to remain in place forever."
McConnell: "With the inauguration behind us, we should find the right middle ground between the unacceptable lapses three weeks ago and the extraordinary short-term measures that have been in place since."
McConnell concludes his Senate floor statement on the National Guard currently at US Capitol: “And in the meantime, we need to make darn sure that we look after the men and women who look after us.”
Senate Armed Svcs Chair Inhofe from Senate flr on Nat'l Guard:"I was so shocked and really angry. Last night,I picked it up on TV. I didn't know anything about it when I heard that the Guard were being made to feel like they were unwelcome by some person in the Capitol Police."
Inhofe: "And they were to take their rest breaks some place else and actually sent to the parking garage, of all places. Our Guard members are being lodged in hotels, and they're working shifts, 12 shifts a day, long shifts on their feet, so they need to have rest breaks."
Inhofe on National Guard at US Capitol: "And they need to do things, and they can't do that lying in the Senate garage. So they have 2 hours on and one hour off plus time for eating and that type of thing."
Inhofe: "We can all agree they should be comfortable in their breaks, a place to sit and lie down, eat, and charge their batteries, and things they have to do, talk to their families at home. And that's what they are supposed to be doing. That's precisely where they were."
Inhofe on Nat'l Guard: "They're using the bldgs here in the Capitol,made to feel unwelcome and pushed to the garage. I understand & I'm glad they're moved back in & now well taken care of, & that's a good thing. But they should never have had to go through this in the 1st place."
Inhofe:"You have to get to the bottom of it & that's what we're doing. We're getting answers. I called the acting chief of Capitol Police this morning. I called General McConville, the chief of staff of the Army, and they're all working to find out how this happened."
Inhofe: "The Acting Chief (of US Capitol Police) Pittman says the Guard were never asked to leave yesterday. Now, I know that she believes that, but several members of the military said no, they were told to leave."
Inhofe:"So, we know one thing - that whether it was confusion, from the fog and the fiction,the environment or whatever it was - the troops didn't move on their own. So, they were asked by somebody."
Inhofe: "This isn't a blame game, but I do want to know what happened to make sure it doesn't happen again. So this is what happened: There was one uniform police officer who issued an order without authority or without going through the chain of command."
Inhofe: "I'm glad that US Capitol Police and the Guard are talking and trying to figure this out. We are going to be able to identify who that person was. We will make that publically."
Inhofe: "Ultimately one message for our National Guard up here: You are appreciated, you are welcome. Very, very grateful for the sacrifices that you made."
Inhofe on his invitation to National Guard: "And if you're ever told at any point that you need to vacate, and don't have a comfortable place, just go to Russell 205, and I'll make sure you'll be very comfortable in my office."
Inhofe from Senate floor to the National Guard at US Capitol "And I know that there's bipartisan outrage about this, so I think you'll have plenty places to rest. You've done a great job. You'll be returning home soon, and you'll be able to say, a job well done."

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More from @CraigCaplan

22 Jan
Schumer from Senate flr announced timing for 2nd impeachment trial for Donald Trump:
Mon 7pm: House mgrs read impeachment article in Senate
Tues: Senators sworn into Court of Impeachment
Later: House mgrs/Trump defense draft/file briefs
Week of Feb 8th: Trial presentations begin Image
Schumer:"Jan 6th insurrection at Capitol incited by Donald J Trump was a day none of us will ever forget.We all want to put this awful chapter in our nation's history behind us.But healing & unity only come if there is truth & accountability. And is what this trial will provide."
Schumer on Senate floor agenda after Tuesday & before week of Feb 8th while House managers & Trump defense work on their trial briefs:"During that period, the Senate will continue to do other business for the American people such as Cabinet nominations and the COVID relief bill."
Read 6 tweets
22 Jan
Pelosi updates House Democrats in letter on her plans to send the article of impeachment to Senate Monday, pass additional COVID-19 relief, and vote in House early next month to fine members who don't comply w/new security screening to enter House chamber. speaker.gov/newsroom/12221…
Pelosi:"Monday,Jan 25 will be a momentous and solemn day as the House sadly transmits the Article of Impeachment for Donald Trump to the Senate..When the Article of Impeachment is transmitted to the Senate,the fmr President will have had nearly 2 wks since we passed the Article."
Pelosi on COVID-19 relief: "We applaud the actions taken by President Biden, starting on Day One of his Administration, and are working to turn his national strategy for COVID response and preparedness into legislation that will pass both chambers and be signed into law."
Read 5 tweets
22 Jan
National Guard and the US Capitol Police issue joint statement on current US Capitol security and the treatment of National Guard members: "The National Guard and USCP are united in the common goal to protect the U.S. Capitol and the Congress during this time."
National Guard/USCP: "As with any large security operation, coordination and flexibility are required for all involved."
"The USCP and the National Guard have coordinated their efforts to ensure that National Guardsmen and women are stationed throughout the Capitol Complex are in appropriate spaces within Congressional buildings, including the U.S. Capitol, where they may take on-duty breaks."
Read 5 tweets
22 Jan
Speaker Pelosi officially announces House impeachment managers will deliver the article of impeachment against former President Trump to Senate on Monday:“The article of impeachment for incitement of insurrection by Donald Trump will be delivered to the Senate on Monday, Jan 25."
Pelosi: "Our Constitution and our country are well served by the extraordinary leadership of Lead Manager Jamie Raskin, and Representatives Diana DeGette, David Cicilline, Joaquin Castro, Eric Swalwell, Ted Lieu, Stacey Plaskett, Madeleine Dean and Joe Neguse."
Pelosi: "We are respectful of the Senate’s constitutional power over the trial and always attentive to the fairness of the process, noting that the former president will have had the same amount of time to prepare for trial as our Managers."
Read 5 tweets
22 Jan
Senate NOW voting on the confirmation of retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to be President Biden's Defense Secretary.
Mike Lee (R-UT) was the first Senator to vote No on Lloyd Austin's nomination to be President Biden's Defense Secretary.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) votes No on Lloyd Austin's Defense Secretary nomination.
Read 5 tweets
22 Jan
Senate Majority Leader Schumer this morning with National Guard troops providing US Capitol security, who were moved to Capitol Hill parking garages as rest areas last night: "We heard about it at 9:30pm, got on top of it at 10pm, and it was solved by about 11pm, 11:30pm."
Acting US Capitol Police Chief Pittman: “I want to assure everyone that, with the exception of specific times on Inauguration Day itself while the swearing-in ceremonies were underway, the US Capitol police did not instruct the Nat'l Guard to vacate the Capitol Bldg facilities."
Pittman: "And on Inauguration Day, the Guard was notified and encouraged to reoccupy the spaces in the Capitol and CVC at 2pm."
Read 7 tweets

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