Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5650) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16605 East Avenue of the Fountains in Fountain Hills, Arizona, as the ``Dr. C.T. Wright Post Office Building''.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5650, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16605 East Avenue of the Fountains in Fountain Hills, Arizona, as the ``Dr. C.T. Wright Post Office Building.'' Dr. C.T. Wright was raised in a family of sharecroppers as a native of Social Circle, Georgia. He went on to graduate from Fort Valley University before earning his master of science from Clark Atlanta University and his Ph.D from Boston University. He was a teacher and administrator, devoting much of his time to education and working for many historically Black colleges and universities, including Morris Brown College and Talladega College. In 1982, he became the president of Cheney University, the first HBCU. Dr. Wright also focused his efforts on community service, founding the Light of Hope Institute that promotes human rights around the world. For the last 21 years of his life, he lived in Arizona, serving as a community leader. He was chair of the Arizona Board of Clemency, president of the Fountain Hills Kiwanis Club, and president of the Arizona African Society. In addition, Dr. Wright served as a delegate for the Electoral College and met six Presidents. I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Dr. C.T. Wright by supporting H.R. 5650. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 5650, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board Inspector General Act of 2022, which would create an independent Inspector General (IG) for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). The FRTIB administers the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the retirement savings and investment plan for federal employees. On June 1, 2022, FRTIB launched a new system with the goal of modernizing TSP's recordkeeping, improving customer service and bolstering cybersecurity. There have been widespread problems with the new system, including account access, account balances, missing or incomplete information in accounts and hours-long wait times to reach customer service. As of December 2021, TSP had approximately 6.5 million participants and $838,052,933,000 in assets, making it the world's largest defined contribution plan. Federal employees dedicate their careers to serving our country, and they deserve a retirement savings and investment plan that provides top-tier customer support and security. While the Employee Benefits Security Administration has the audit responsibility for the FRTIB, as it does for all private sector 401(k) plans, there is currently no IG for the FRTIB. The problems with the new TSP system are evidence enough that the FRTIB needs an independent IG.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I introduce the Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022, which would subject the legislative branch to many of the laws that protect employees in the private sector and the executive branch. Congress should abide by the laws it imposes on others. In 1995, Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA), which applied 13 existing civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws to the legislative branch. In 2018, after reports of sexual harassment in Congress and in light of the #MeToo movement, Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (Reform Act), which changed the name of the Office of Compliance to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR), revised the process to resolve workplace claims and extended CAA protections to unpaid staff, interns and fellows. It also made Members of Congress personally liable for their own violations of workplace harassment and retaliation laws. The CAA and the Reform Act were important steps in making the legislative branch accountable for its employment practices, but they did not finish the job. As noted, the CAA brought the legislative branch under 13 civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws but it omitted important substantive and procedural protections. In its two most recent Section 102(b) biennial reports to Congress, OCWR identified additional federal workplace laws and procedures that should be applicable to the legislative branch. OCWR's recommendations for the 116th Congress included making the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 applicable to the legislative branch. The OCWR's recommendations for this Congress included allowing the OCWR Board of Directors to authorize the OCWR General Counsel to seek appropriate temporary relief after filing an unfair labor practice charge, amending the confidentiality provisions of the CAA to exclude proceedings under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute and the public access provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and requiring mediation upon the request of the claimant. This bill takes into account OCWR's recommendations, and seeks both to apply the standard of fairness to employees of the legislative branch that Congress requires for other employees and provide a safer work environment for the legislative branch and visitors by bringing the legislative obligations in line with the legal requirements of the private sector and the executive branch. This bill provides general whistleblower protections and anti- retaliation measures and makes additional Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) retaliation provisions applicable to the legislative branch. This bill also provides subpoena authority to OCWR to conduct inspections and investigations into OSHA violations. This bill also furthers the CAA's goal of preventing workplace discrimination in the legislative branch by prohibiting the legislative branch from making adverse employment decisions on the basis of an employee's wage garnishment or involvement in bankruptcy proceedings pursuant to the Consumer Credit Protection Act and Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code. Finally, this bill bolsters the CAA's recordkeeping requirements. It applies to the legislative branch the obligation to maintain accurate records of safety information and employee injuries, as otherwise required by OSHA, as well as employee records necessary to administer anti-discrimination laws. This bill would help restore the public's trust in Congress by redoubling our efforts to exercise leadership by example. I urge support for this important measure.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to introduce a fiscal year 2022 supplemental appropriations bill to provide $50 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for humanitarian assistance for migrants. The funding would remain available until expended. Since mid-April, the governors of Texas and Arizona have exploited and harmed approximately 4,500 vulnerable people fleeing desperate and dangerous situations in their home countries for political gain by busing them to the District of Columbia and New York. In fiscal year 2022, Congress provided $150 million to the EFSP for humanitarian assistance for migrants. As of July 21, 2022, approximately $85 million of this funding remained available. However, the busing of migrants to D.C. and New York has increased funding requests and the EFSP may exhaust its funding. Supplemental funding would ensure that the EFSP can continue to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Increased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2022. This bill would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make publicly available the forms organizations that self-declare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) file with the IRS. Americans have the right to know which organizations are operating under this section of the IRC. To be eligible for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4), organizations, often referred to as ``social welfare organizations,'' must be ``devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.'' They can apply for 50l(c)(4) status, or they can self- declare. Previously, organizations seeking to self-declare were not required to notify the IRS of their existence. In 2015, however, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), which required an organization seeking to self-declare to file a notice with the IRS, was enacted into law. The PATH Act did not, however, make the filed notices, Form 8976, subject to public disclosure. The IRS has opined that Form 8976 cannot be made available under the Freedom of Information Act or other disclosure laws. This opinion creates a discrepancy between those organizations for which the IRS must make publicly available information--all Section 501(c)(3) organizations and 501(c)(4) organizations that applied for that status--and self-declared 501(c)(4) organizations. This discrepancy appears to have been inadvertently created by the PATH Act. My bill would fix this discrepancy by requiring the IRS to publicly disclose any filed Form 8976 upon request, thus allowing the public to know which organizations operate under 501(c)(4), as they do with organizations that operate under 501(c)(3). In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited expenditures in political campaigns by these ``social welfare'' organizations, greater transparency is needed. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Eli on his recent selection to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). Mr. Vazquez currently serves as the President and CEO of Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union, which is comprised of approximately 90,000 members and headquartered in the District of Columbia. Mr. Vazquez previously served on the American Airlines Federal Credit Union board for eight years and later in senior leadership roles for seven years. He was a board member of the SW Regional Payments Association for three years and chair of the NAFCU Share Insurance Committee. He is active on advisory panels for CUNA Mutual, engageFI and Visa and is a supporter of various philanthropic organizations. Mr. Vazquez has a wealth of financial services and leadership knowledge. His vision and decision-making skills will be a valuable addition to the NAFCU board and credit unions for years to come. Mr. Vazquez holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Chemical Engineering. He is an experienced, active and passionate supporter of credit unions and their mission. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Eli Vazquez and wishing him the very best in his new role on the NAFCU Board of Directors.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrew Pierce for his exceptional leadership and service as the Acting Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting at the Peace Corps. During his nearly 7 years at the Peace Corps, Mr. Pierce played a vital role in ensuring resources were effectively and efficiently managed to support the important mission of the Peace Corps. He provided solutions during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when global evacuations of thousands of Peace Corps volunteers were necessary. Mr. Pierce was instrumental in ensuring that the Peace Corps received a clean audit opinion during his entire tenure. This is particularly remarkable because of the inherently transient nature of the Peace Corps workforce and the global footprint of the agency's financial operations. He was highly respected by his colleagues for his keen intellect, professionalism; kindness, dedication to service and being a consummate team player. President Kennedy said that by establishing the Peace Corps, ``[W]e intend to make full use of the resources and talents of private institutions and groups. Universities, voluntary agencies, labor unions and industry will be asked to share in this effort--contributing diverse sources of energy and imagination--making it clear that the responsibility for peace is the responsibility of our entire society.'' Mr. Pierce answered the call and did his part, enabling the Peace Corps and our nation to strengthen bonds of friendship and foster global peace. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Andrew Pierce for his service and wishing him continued success in his role as the Executive Director for Budget and Analysis for Maryland.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I remind the gentleman that this House has twice passed the D.C. statehood bill, and that the bill that I have put before you will give the President the same authority to federalize the D.C. National Guard that the President has to federalize the National Guards of the States and territories, so it would pose no issue for deployment of the National Guard. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this amendment would give the District of Columbia mayor control over the D.C. National Guard. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney and Congressman Anthony Brown are co-leads of this amendment. The Governors of the States and territories control their National Guards, while the President controls the D.C. National Guard. This amendment would give the D.C. mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the Governors of the States and territories have over their National Guards. The President would have the same authority to federalize the D.C. National Guard that the President has to federalize the National Guards of the States and territories. The attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and the events at Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020, are prime examples of why the D.C. mayor should control the D.C. National Guard. During January 6, the Trump administration delayed deploying the D.C. National Guard to the Capitol for several hours, likely costing lives and prolonging the attack. At Lafayette Square, the Trump administration used the D.C. National Guard to forcibly remove peaceful protesters for a President photo op. National Guards are generally deployed for natural disasters and civil disturbances. The D.C. mayor, who knows D.C. better than any Federal official, should be able to deploy the D.C. National Guard to protect D.C. residents. In the event of a large-scale attack on a Federal facility in D.C., the D.C. mayor would almost certainly deploy the D.C. National Guard to protect the facility. However, in the unlikely event that the D.C. mayor did not do so, the President would have the authority to federalize and deploy the D.C. National Guard to do so. This is no different from the division of authority today between a Governor and the President in the event of a large-scale attack on a Federal facility in a State or territory. Moreover, Presidential control over the D.C. National Guard creates a loophole in the Posse Comitatus Act which limits the military's involvement in civil law enforcement. The Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel has opined that when the D.C. National Guard is operating for non-Federal purposes, even though it is an exclusively Federal entity, it may be used for civilian law enforcement without violating Posse Comitatus. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment which would be a historic advance in D.C. self-government and improve public safety in the Nation's Capitol. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman fails to understand that the deployment of the D.C. National Guard would have to take place no matter who controls the National Guard, whether the President or the mayor. If the mayor controls the National Guard, she would have to deploy it. She would have to make sure the National Guard is ready to proceed. So the gentleman's objection would have no merit. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, nothing more than what we saw on January 6 educates us to why it is important for the mayor of the District of Columbia to have control of the National Guard. That period during which the National Guard was held up because the mayor had no control accounted for much of the problems that we are still fighting that came out of January 6. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the nation's community supervision professionals and the many vital roles they play in their work with justice-involved adults and juveniles. They identify opportunities and services to help individuals contribute to society, while, at the same time, holding them accountable for their actions. In honor of Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2022, we salute all of those who have chosen this important career. In the District of Columbia, we especially thank the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia and their employees for their work. Their work reflects the theme of Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2022, ``Restoring Trust, Creating Hope.'' As was the case last year, community supervision professionals have once again demonstrated great courage and resolve in continuing their work during the coronavirus pandemic. They have found innovative ways to remain connected with the people they supervise and to continue guiding them in the interest of public safety. Community supervision agencies are valuable partners of government agencies, non-profits, neighborhood-based groups, and all who strive to make our nation safer and stronger. We extend our gratitude to them and recognize their many achievements as we proclaim July 17-23, 2022, as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week 2022.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act, which would direct the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report to Congress containing recommendations on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as estimates of the costs and benefits of each recommendation. Such recommendations would include modifications to trains, tracks and maintenance procedures, speed limits for trains, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, the distance between tracks and homes, limitations on the number of trains and the number of cars on trains, limitations on hours of operations, building insulation and modifications to soil conditions. The report would be due to Congress no later than one year after the enactment of the bill. The Noise Control Act of 1972 created the Office of Noise Abatement and Control within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), granting EPA authority and oversight over broad noise control regulations. However, years of defunding left this office without any resources to conduct enforcement, forcing EPA to phase out the office in 1982. I hear from District of Columbia residents frequently about the negative impact of train noise and vibrations on their lives. The noise and vibrations can harm health and quality of life, and can even harm the structural integrity of homes. Congress and the executive branch must do more to reduce the harm nationwide. As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as the chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I have been committed to reducing transportation noise pollution. I have convened community meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration, the D.C. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to examine how to reduce train noise and vibrations. A report on reducing train noise and vibrations can help us identify viable, long-term solutions for communities. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Courts and Public Defender Service Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments Act. This bill, which passed the House in the 114th Congress, would make a small but important change to the authorities of the District of Columbia Courts (D.C. Courts) and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS), giving them the same authority federal agencies and federal courts already have to offer voluntary separation incentive payments, or buyouts, to their employees. Congress has provided this authority to the D.C. Courts and PDS on an annual basis in the last several appropriations bills. However, my bill is necessary to make this authority permanent. This authority would allow the D.C. Courts and PDS to respond to future administrative and budgetary needs, and would provide the flexibility to extend buyout offers to their employees. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has opined that voluntary separation incentive payments may be made only where statutorily authorized. Federal agencies and federal courts already have permanent statutory authority to offer buyouts, and there is no reason why the D.C. Courts and PDS, which are both federally funded entities, should not have the same permanent authority to manage their workforce as budget conditions and needs change. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. This District of Columbia tradition takes place during the first full week of summer each year and brings together tens of thousands D.C. area families and visitors to the nation's capital in the spirit of unity, community and celebration. After two years of virtual events, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle returned to Pennsylvania Avenue on June 25, 2022, featuring the Giant National BBQ Championship, the National Pork BBQ Championship, the Smokin' with Smithfield Rib Contest, the Perdue Sizzlin' Chicken Contest, the Turkey Smoke BBQ Cooking Contest, the Nation's Best BBQ Sauce Contest and, for the first time, the Beyond Meat Plant-Based Barbecue Championship. The Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle has raised millions of dollars for D.C. charities and USO-Metro over the past 30 years and donated food to food banks. This event draws some of D.C.'s and the nation's best barbecue talent, and the participants represent D.C. wherever state barbecue cooking championship winners are welcomed. Madam Speaker, again, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the aims and goals of the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Postal Police Authority Clarifying Act, which would clarify that United States Postal Police Officers (PPOs) have authority to protect mail, postal property and postal employees both on and off United States Postal Service (USPS) real property. PPOs had been performing their duties both on and off USPS real property, but USPS has recently informed them that their statutory police powers are limited to USPS real property. Under federal law, Postal Inspectors are authorized ``to investigate criminal matters related to the Postal Service and the mails . . .,'' while PPOs are authorized to protect the ``property owned or occupied by the Postal Service or under the charge and control of the Postal Service, and persons on that property, including duty in areas outside the property to the extent necessary to protect the property and persons on the property.'' USPS has recently informed PPOs that property consists only of USPS real property, so PPO police powers are limited to USPS real property. This narrow interpretation of the statute severely limits the ability of PPOs to protect mail and postal staff. There has been an increase in mail theft nationally, including through the theft of stolen universal keys, formally referred to as ``arrow keys.'' A constituent recently contacted my office after checks they put in a blue collection box were stolen. Thieves changed the payees and dollar amounts on the checks, and tens of thousands of dollars were stolen from my constituent's account. This is just one example of the increased mail theft occurring now, and is ample evidence of the need for legislation to clarify the authority of PPOs to fully protect mail and postal employees. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Local Task Forces on 21st Century Policing Act, which would assist localities in carrying out the recommendations of the federal Task Force on 21st Century Policing and the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, both of which have detailed the need to strengthen relations between local communities and local law enforcement. The bill would provide grants to local governments to create local task forces on 21st century policing to bring police, representatives of the community and public officials together to identify best policing practices for local police and other ways to strengthen relations between the community and police departments. No new funds are needed. Existing funds from the Department of Justice would support local governments establishing the task forces by listing these task forces as an acceptable use of Byrne Justice Assistance Grants. Given the continuing controversy surrounding police shootings of unarmed African American men, with no solutions in sight, this bill is timelier every day. The task forces, modeled after the federal Task Force on 21st Century Policing, would allow local communities to identify the best ways to create an effective partnership between local law enforcement and the communities they serve, while reducing crime, increasing trust and combating racial profiling. The task forces could create a partnership to implement practical policing practices acceptable to all concerned. The creation of task forces could be an important step toward easing the tensions between local law enforcement and many communities. In addition, the task forces could serve to engage local law enforcement and local stakeholders in a transparent public problem-solving process instead of the current situation that encourages parties to choose sides. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the package of gun violence prevention bills we are considering today. Gun violence is at unseen epidemic levels in this country. We need to combat the source of the epidemic: easy access to guns. I will address, however, the impact of the lack of statehood for the residents of the District of Columbia on their ability to pass and maintain their own commonsense gun violence prevention laws. If Republicans take the majority in the next Congress, they could eliminate D.C.'s gun violence prevention laws, which they have repeatedly tried to do, including its ban on assault weapons and high- capacity magazines and its universal background checks. At least seven current Republican Members of Congress have introduced such bills. I have defeated each effort in Congress to overturn D.C. gun violence prevention laws, and I vow to do so again, but the ultimate remedy for congressional interference in local D.C. matters, of course, is D.C. statehood.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Prime Timers of the National Capital Area. Prime Timers of the National Capital Area was founded on December 17, 1996, as a chapter of Prime Timers Worldwide, an international non- profit organization that celebrates all human diversity and whose vision is to ``Bring together mature gay and bisexual men for friendship, social activities, support and personal growth.'' The mission of Prime Timers of the National Capital Area is to provide opportunities for older gay and bisexual men to come together in a safe and supportive environment regardless of race, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. The chapter promotes healthy aging through supportive relationships and personal enrichment through service to others. Madam Speaker, again, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Prime Timers of the National Capital Area for its 25 years of dedicated service, which has advanced the welfare not only of the LGBTQ community in the District of Columbia, but of the entire population of the District of Columbia.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Veterans Legal Support Act of 2022, which would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to law school clinical programs that provide pro bono legal and support services to veterans, including assistance with disability claims and appeals and foreclosures. There are already at least 22 law schools that have clinics devoted to veterans' legal needs, including the William & Mary Law School Veterans Benefits Clinic, which serves as a national model for this idea and was the first recipient of a ``best practice'' certification from the VA. There are many other law schools, such as the University of the District of Columbia's David A. Clarke School of Law, that are interested in starting their own VA-certified clinics. More needs to be done to sustain and increase the number of these programs. I was a tenured professor of law and continued to teach a seminar after being elected to Congress. I saw the expert assistance that clinical programs provide their clients. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, a concrete measure that would assist our veterans, who put their lives on the line for this country.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act, which would permit the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit legislation to Congress in the form of the Chairman's choosing, including in electronic form. This bill would modernize the method D.C. legislation is transmitted to Congress. I introduced a similar version of this bill earlier this year. The D.C. Home Rule Act (HRA) requires the Chairman to transmit legislation to Congress for a review period before the legislation may take effect. The legislation takes effect after a review period, unless a resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the review period. While the HRA is silent on the method of transmittal, House and Senate precedent require that the legislation be physically transmitted to Congress. Physical transmittal imposes costs in terms of time on the Council, the House and Senate Parliamentarians, the Speaker, the President of the Senate, the House clerk, the Senate Secretary, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The Council engages in a 12-step process to comply with the physical transmittal requirement: Step 1: Write individualized cover letters. Step 2: The Chairman physically signs the cover letters. Step 3: Arrange a time to get the cover letters from the Chairman. Step 4: Print two copies of the bill and two copies of the committee report to deliver to the Speaker and to the President of the Senate. Step 5: Arrange a time for delivery to the Speaker's office. Step 6: Arrange a time for delivery to the President of the Senate's office. Step 7: Arrange for two D.C. employees to drive to the Capitol. (Two staffers are required because parking restrictions require a driver and a delivery person.) Step 8: Drive to the Capitol. Step 9: Deliver the documents to the Speaker's office and get a signed receipt. Step 10: Deliver the documents to the President of the Senate's office and get a signed receipt. Step 11: Assign the congressional review period based on the receipts. Step 12: File the receipts. The aftermath of the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol highlighted the burdens of physical transmittal. After temporary fencing was installed around the Capitol, D.C. employees could not enter the Capitol, delaying transmittal until D.C. employees and congressional staff developed a workaround. D.C. employees and congressional staff met outside the fencing so the D.C. employees could physically transmit the legislation. Today, when we live in the era of e-mail, there is no reason to continue to require an increasingly ancient process, when these documents could be transmitted electronically instead, saving a tremendous amount of time and effort. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill.