Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement During Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following remarks during the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee hearing:

"I rise today in support of this Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, which represents a $5.7 billion ask for the legislative branch, an important and necessary 20 percent jump over fiscal year 2022.

"I think we can all agree that the grave January 6th attack on the United States Capitol warrants bold investments in securing the Capitol Hill complex to ensure that all staff, Members, and visitors are safe. The bill does just that by providing a $105.6 million increase for Capitol Police, for a funding total of $708 million. The increase will help hire more cops, improve training, and fulfill security recommendations made in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

"This is not only critical for the safety of the staff, visitors, and Members on Capitol Hill, but to the well-functioning of democracy and the work we carry out on a daily basis for our constituencies.

"I want to thank Chairman Ryan and Chairwoman DeLauro in particular for including some provisions that I raised as priorities to the committee.

"Namely, for the first time ever, the bill provides $350,000 for the creation of a House Intern Resource Office within the Chief Administrative Officer and mandates outreach to historically underrepresented communities to provide greater internship opportunities.

"Additionally, it includes $1.3 million and directive for the first ever United States Capitol Police Body Camera pilot program to better protect the people’s house.

"Another important first is an increase of $500,000 for the office of workplace rights office to implement the House resolution that will grant nearly 9,100 House staffers the ability to form a union. Notably, the bill includes a proposal I am a staunch proponent of to hire beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as Dreamers, overriding existing restrictions.

"Lastly, the bill expands the availability of culturally competent mental health services, as well as prioritizing the employment of staff who have worked with people of diverse backgrounds and who themselves come from diverse walks of life.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a sound bill, and I look forward to supporting it."

Today's legislation provides annual funding for the Legislative Branch of the United States government, including the United States House of Representatives, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Library of Congress.
For fiscal year 2023, the draft bill appropriates a total of $5.702 billion, an increase
of $954.4 million or 20.1 percent, over 2022.