Rep. Hice Leads 33 Colleagues in Demanding Better Conditions for National Guard: All Volunteer Use of Personal Offices

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) led 33 House Republican colleagues in a letter demanding better living accommodations, safe and sanitary conditions, and full access to available amenities for the U.S. National Guard deployed to the U.S. Capitol Complex. The letter requests a full explanation as to why Guardsmen were ordered out of Capitol Complex buildings on January 21 and instead placed in nearby parking garages. Additionally, the letter requests answers as to how the National Guard will be accommodated during the remainder of their deployment and what role they will serve going forward now that the inauguration has thankfully passed without incident. Lastly, Congressman Hice and his colleagues volunteer the full use of their personal Washington, D.C. offices as needed for housing or designated rest areas.

"It is completely unacceptable that the National Guard soldiers deployed to the protect the U.S. Capitol have received such shoddy treatment and inadequate accommodations," said Congressman Hice. "The decision on January 21 to force thousands of Guardsmen out of the very Capitol Complex buildings they are here to protect and instead order them into a cramped, exhaust-filled parking garage was an outrage. Someone needs to be held accountable for this gross mistreatment of our service members.

"Now that the inauguration is behind us, if there's no additional security threat, these brave men and women should be allowed to return home to their families," continued Congressman Hice. "If there remains a genuine need for the National Guard, it is imperative that we improve their conditions. My colleagues and I happily volunteer our personal Washington, D.C. offices to be used as living quarters or simply as designated rest and relaxation areas. There is no excuse for Guardsmen to be forced into a garage when there are so many better options nearby."

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