WASHINGTON - Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) released the following statement on today's launch of the phased reopening of the U.S. Capitol:

"You can't call today's phased ‘reopening' a reopening at all. This gradual process would've made sense a year ago, but we are no longer in extraordinary times and we need to fully reopen the People's House. Schools, businesses, music concerts, sporting events, and other widely attended events across the country have resumed normal operations, but instead of leading by example, Congress is dragging its feet.

"March is typically a busy time of year, with thousands of Americans roaming the halls, meeting with their representatives, and exercising their constitutional right to petition their government. In contrast, today the Capitol remains largely closed for the 745th day, with some members not even showing up to vote in nearly two years."

Background:
In May 2020, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Ranking Member Davis, and House Rules Committee Ranking Member Tom Cole put forward a plan to safely reopen the House.

On March 1, 2022, President Joe Biden said during his State of the Union address, "Because of the progress we've made, because of your resilience and the tools we have, tonight I can say we are moving forward safely, back to more normal routines." On March 2, 2022, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced a House resolution, cosponsored by over 80 Members of Congress, that would ensure every American is able to visit the Capitol.

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