Chair Ryan Statement at the FY 2022 Budget Hearing for Architect of Capitol

Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), Chair of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the FY 2022 Budget Hearing for Architect of the Capitol​.

For our first panel I would like to welcome the Architect of the Capitol, the Honorable Brett Blanton to present the fiscal year 2022 budget request.

Mr. Blanton, this is the second time you have testified before this subcommittee in three weeks.  We welcome you back.  For fiscal year 2022 the AOC is requesting an increase of $181.4 million in appropriated funds and 94 new full-time equivalents, or FTE’s, over what was provided last year.  While we understand that your workload is increasing, I am afraid that the subcommittee allocation may not be increasing at a reciprocal rate.

Additionally, I understand that the fiscal year 2022 budget request does not include requirements to address the necessary physical security and landscape architecture changes that are as a result of the attack on the Capitol.  I hope you can touch on those needs in your testimony today.

I also would like you to expand on your “Big Rocks” initiatives during our hearing today.  Specifically, I hope you will address the Capitol Complex Master Plan and how this strategic plan has changed in response to the January 6th attack on the Capitol.