{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1175", "Rep. Ralph Norman Introduces Resolution in Support of Reopening the U.S. Capitol to the American People", "2022-02-23", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "This past Friday, Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-5) introduced H.Res 934 in the House of Representatives in support of \u201creopening the United States Capitol and House Office Buildings to the American people.\u201d\n\nBackground Information\n\nWith few exceptions, the United States Capitol and House Office Buildings have been closed to public visitors for almost two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means people visiting our nation\u2019s capital, including school classes, tour groups, individual families visiting D.C., and others have been unable to gain access to these historic buildings. The U.S. Capitol, a building paid for by taxpayers, is one of the last public buildings in the nation that the general population cannot access.\n\nWith widespread availability of vaccines, rapidly declining hospitalizations from COVID-19, and an American public that now appears quite comfortable gathering for large sporting events, entertainment, worship, dining, and other outings, Rep. Norman and the co-sponsors of this resolution are calling for the House Office Buildings and the portions of the United States Capitol and Capitol complex within House jurisdiction to return to pre-pandemic visitation policies.\n\nThis is mirror legislation to Sen. Bill Hagerty's S.Res.512, which is cosponsored by 26 senators.\n\nStatement\n\nRep. Norman issued the following statement on Friday: \u201cI can identify no valid reason why the House of Representatives continues to enforce such draconian, restrictive measures when it comes to public access to the buildings within our nation\u2019s Capitol complex. These buildings belong to the American people, and it is long past time we restore public access to the way it was prior to this pandemic. As we approach spring break and the summer travel season in Washington, D.C., there\u2019s no excuse for continuing to lock Americans out of these buildings.\u201d\n\nCo-Sponsors\n\nOriginal co-sponsors of this legislation include: Rep. Brian Babin (TX), Andy Biggs (AZ), Mo Brooks (AL), Ted Budd (NC), Dr. Michael Burgess (TX), Andrew Clyde (GA), Jeff Duncan (SC), Chuck Fleischmann (TN), Andrew Garbarino (NY), Bob Gibbs (OH), Louie Gohmert (TX), Lance Gooden (TX), Andy Harris (MD), Jody Hice (GA), Bill Huizenga (MI), Darrell Issa (CA), Dusty Johnson (SD), Nancy Mace (SC), Mary Miller (IL), Steven Palazzo (MS), Scott Perry (PA), Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA), William Timmons (SC), Joe Wilson (SC), and Steve Womack (AR).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1175"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1275801807641983, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}