Impact of Crime on Public Building Usage Act of 2023

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6261. This bill introduced by my colleague, Representative Chavez-DeRemer, directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the effects that crime and safety concerns have on in-person work in Federal buildings.

Federal buildings must be safe and secure places for Federal employees, contractors, and the American public.

Evaluating the safety in and around Federal buildings is a good idea. I recommend that the GAO gather and include in the report data from the Federal Protective Service, the agency responsible for protecting Federal buildings and assessing the security of Federal buildings, as well as the employees who populate them.

I also recommend that GAO include the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security in the development of the report. DHS' OIG has access to historical data and current trends which may assist in the evaluation of the impacts noted in the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota.

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Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, Federal buildings must be safe and secure places for Federal employees, contractors, and the American public.

I believe evaluating the safety in and around Federal buildings is a good idea, which is why I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota.

As we encourage Federal employees to return to an in-person working posture, at those times when it is appropriate, it is crucial that we ensure that they are coming back to a safe work environment.

I urge support of H.R. 6261 so we can ultimately address the unsafe working conditions deterring employees from returning to work.

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