Eleanor Holmes Norton

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the installation of permanent fencing at the United States Capitol complex. Senator Chris Van Hollen is introducing this bill in the Senate.

Permanent fencing at the Capitol complex would send an un-American message to the Nation and the world by transforming our democracy from one that is accessible, transparent, and of the people, to one that is closed off, secretive, and fearful of its own citizens. It would tell the world that the most powerful Nation must rely on crude barriers for safety instead of state-of-the-art intelligence and security protocols. The Capitol complex has welcomed First Amendment demonstrations for centuries without becoming a fortress. The openness of the Capitol complex and our democracy is a strength, not a weakness that needs to be rooted out.

Furthermore, the Capitol complex does not exist in a vacuum. It is immediately surrounded by residential neighborhoods and local businesses. Permanent fencing would cause serious damage to the fabric of these communities. After the January 6th insurrection, the Capitol complex became an untraversable fortress surrounded by frightening fences capped with barbed wire typical of authoritarian regimes. These residents and businesses were more than understanding as their neighborhoods turned into militarized zones. They waited patiently as officers checked their identification on their walks home or took alternative routes when they found blocked streets. Permanent fencing would limit their ability, as well as the general public's ability, to enjoy the public spaces that define our Nation's capital.

The distance between government and the people has grown, with trust in government at historic lows. We should not increase that distance by placing intimidating barriers between public servants and the people they serve, especially when such barriers are unnecessary.

Security is not only about reducing risk. It is also about safeguarding the freedoms and values that anchor our country, not only for ourselves but for future generations Public property should be open to the public. Americans should not have to peer at their democracy from behind fences.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, commonly referred to as Chapter 35 benefits, to dependent parents of servicemembers.

The idea for this bill came from one of my constituents. Currently, the spouses and children of servicemembers who die or become disabled are eligible for Chapter 35 benefits. However, dependent parents of servicemembers are not eligible.

Parents of servicemembers often fill the role of caregiver for the children of servicemembers while they are overseas. Such time commitments make it challenging for these parents to pursue post- secondary education, making it difficult for them to enter the workforce if their child is killed or becomes disabled in service of their country.

This bill would expand the definition of ``eligible person'' in Chapter 35 to include dependent parents of servicemembers. Granting dependent parents of servicemembers access to Chapter 35 benefits will allow them to gain the necessary skills to enter the workforce and support themselves and other surviving family members.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I introduced the Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act, which would extend to independent contractors the same federal antidiscrimination protections provided to employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately seven percent of workers are independent contractors.

This bill would extend the following antidiscrimination laws, which apply to employees, to independent contractors: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. Every worker should be protected from discrimination.