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"CBO is a nonpartisan office that plays a vital role in helping Congress effectively exercise our duties enshrined in Article I, section 9, clause 7 of the Constitution, know colloquially as the “power of the purse”. You have become such a part of this institution that we may take it for granted. CBO’s role remains vital for the legislative branch to have our own independent economic analysis and cost estimate of proposed legislation, so we do not have to rely solely on the Office of Management and Budget within the Executive Branch."

"Each of the Service Academies house some of the best and brightest of our young generation. Many of these women and men will hold leadership positions in their respective Services for the next thirty years. Given this fact, it is imperative that they are well educated, not only on executing the military missions of the future but also are grounded in the ideals on which this nation has been built and the oath that they take to serve."

"It is unconscionable that the very people we depend on to help deliver a safe and abundant supply of food are themselves subject to unacceptably lax safety standards and dangerous work environments riddled with wholly preventable safety hazards."

"Although the budget for the your organization is small as compared to the rest of our Legislative Branch Agencies, it has had a real impact in increasing understanding of, and appreciation for, United States democratic values and democratic institutions in an area of the world where Russia’s malign influence stands firmly opposed to our democratic principles and national security interests."

"New innovations will lead to new opportunities. Reversing the impacts of climate change will create good-paying jobs across every state in our country. Already there are more Americans working in energy efficiency and energy production jobs than waiters and waitresses. We must continue to innovate and lead in these areas so our nation is not left behind. As people and communities succeed, so will America."

As the Committee that funds the security of the Capitol, today we hope we can gain a better understanding of the problems that the Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms must address and what resources they need to reform themselves and keep Members, Congressional staff and employees, and their own officers safe.

As we move forward, we do not want to fall into the trap of preparing to fight the last war. We must be prepared to ensure the next one never happens and if we ignore the mistakes of the past, the capitol campus will continue to be vulnerable to unknown and unexpected threats.