Preserving Presidential Documents

Floor Speech

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Mr. CASTEN of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to all of our Federal employees.

Thank you for the dignity you have shown during the last 4 years. For every Alexander Vindman who was forced into the public spotlight, there are thousands more quiet patriots behind him, and we are grateful. But we also need your help.

Congress is still waiting to receive thousands of documents from the Trump administration. Multiple White House officials have been communicating through undocumented, nonofficial channels. Many more are still blocking the release of information that directly pertains to their work for the United States Government, and that is illegal.

Why this administration is afraid of transparency is tomorrow's question. But today, every Federal agency must preserve those documents. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 and the Federal Records Act of 1950 exist to ensure that no President enters office with our adversaries knowing more about the prior 4 years than they do.

We need your vigilance over the next 61 days to ensure those laws are honored.

When elected officials failed us, we could still count on you. Now, once more into the breach, dear friends, once more.

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