Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is chair of the House Democratic caucus. He was joined by congresswoman Katherine Clark at a briefing early. The talked about the weeks legislate agenda and call for additional coronavirus aid. Good morning, everyone. We had a very emotional caucus call today, dedicated largely to remembrances and reflections on the life and legacy of john robert lewis, our dearly departed colleague and american hero, civil rights icon, friend to everyone, friend to truth and justice here in america and throughout the world. We had two special presentations. Professor meachum as well as don porter. Professor meachum of course is working on a biography of the life journey of john lewis, and don porter is documentarian produce the recently released documentary, john lewis, good trouble. Keep the faith, keep our eyes on the prize and continue the countrys long, necessary and majestic march toward a more perfect union. That is what we will continue to do as House Democrats in hi
Good morning. I called a meeting on appropriations to order. Before we begin, house rules require me to remind you we have set up an email address to which members can send anything they wish to submit in writing at any of our hearings or markups. The email address has been provided to your staff. First, consideration of the interior environment appropriations bill, fiscal year 2021. I will now recognize ms. Mccowan to present the bill. Good morning. I want to thank Ranking Member, for his strong collaboration of partnership throughout this entire process. He has been a great partner from the great lakes and a little geography being social studies teacher, he borders with the great state of ohio, lake erie and in minnesota, we border on lake superior. Id like to thank all members of our subcommittee for all contributions and especially the way in which continue our tradition of nonpartisan work, to Work Together on issues that affect Indian Country. Im also grateful for the leadership
Chairwoman lowey consideration of the interior environment appropriations bill, fiscal year 2021. I will not recognize to present the bill. Thank you, madam chair. I am pleased to prevent the 2021 appropriations bill. It reflects the hard work and participation of our Committee Members as well as the good ideas we have received from many sources including my colleagues and outside experts. The bill provides increased funding to support staff and other resources that Congress Needs to do its job well. The bills analytic capacity in the legislative branch and to address high priority Information Technology and security. For example, the bill provides a 25 million increase for the which covers staff, office space and other facilities. I believe it is sufficient to express our new normal as members move into a new means of interacting with constituents. It turns out to an average of office. Per member of our bill creates a new house modernization initiatives account and provides a down pay
Whats being done to modernize the library of congress. We heard testimony from dr. Carla hayden, the librarian of congress. This is a little more than an hour. [inaudible] who also chairs the appropriated committee for library and i think thats particularly helpful that you could be here as well. Also a member of this committee so shes here as a of the committee but also on these topics, particularly fallible in her role as appropriate. We have been having with the library, with the smithsonian, with the architect of the capitol these kinds of oversight hearings to fulfill that responsibility and be sure were giving the agencies to help they need. Were glad to be here of course with the librarian, dr. Carla hayden, with mr. Barton, the chief Information Officer and your temple, the register of copyrights. Thank all of you for being here today. I think we want to talk primarily police i want to talk primarily about monetization. We had a chance with dr. Hayden at the last meeting to tal
This is titled congress and the frank bringing congressional mail standard into the 21st century. I recognize myself to give an opening statement. Happy halloween, everybody. I am dressed as americas most maligned superhero congressman, able to fly across the country in six hours on alaska airlines. We were thinking about titling this hearing Franken Stein how the houses ghoulish mailing standard have haunted members for decades, but i suppose we should go with the official unspooky title for the record. Like most of the issues that fall into this committees mandate, in the work of the House Commission on congressional mailing standard, its very inside baseball. To most people frank is a name or a hot dog or, but the reality is for members of congress, the congressional frank is actually fundamental to how we communicate with our constituents and every time we respond to constituent requests or send news heat e letters or upcoming town halls, we use the frank. Its no surprise with Medi