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Letter to Hon. William J. Walker, US House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms - Latta, Kelly, 90+ House Colleagues Call on Sergeant At Arms to Reopen the U.S. Capitol to the Public

Letter

Date: Feb. 18, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Government Operations

February 18, 2022

Dear Sergeant At Arms Walker,

We write to you today as part of our ongoing efforts to reopen the House side of the United States Capitol Building to the American public. With major sporting and entertainment gatherings occurring regularly around the country and companies across the nation reopening for business, now is the time to reopen the People's House.

The Senate Sergeant At Arms, which the Attending Physician confirmed has received identical guidance to the House Sergeant At Arms throughout the pandemic,[1] has reopened the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol to the public[2].

The Attending Physician's most recent February 4, 2022, guidance[3] notes that, ""Breakthrough' infections among Members and staff have not led to hospitalizations, serious complications, or death…".

Additionally, Washington D.C.'s vaccine mandate was terminated on February 15, 2022, and its mask mandate is scheduled to end on March 1, 2022. These changes come as new data[4] demonstrates that lockdowns have had "little to no public health effects" and have "imposed enormous economic and social costs where they have been adopted."

Given the facts outlined above, we respectfully request that you immediately rescind the Capitol closure order dated March 12, 2020,[5] and issue new guidance to House offices allowing for the resumption of public tours of the House side of the U.S. Capitol.

Congress is accountable to the American people, and the American people have a Constitutional right to be heard, to see their democracy in action, and to petition their leaders for redress of grievances. Unfortunately, Congress has lagged far behind the rest of America in reopening. Now more than ever, we must be proactive in building public trust and getting back to work.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter of national importance.

Sincerely,

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