00:00Vice Chair Heimrich, I will now turn back to Chairman Mullin for the manager's package.
00:08Madam Chair, I'd like to offer a manager's package containing amendments for the legislative branch
00:12bill. This package should have been negotiated and agreed to by both sides, and I ask it to be
00:17adopted by unanimous consent. Is there any objection? If not, the manager's package is
00:26adopted. Senator Murray. Thank you. As everyone here knows better than anyone, the Library of
00:35Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and the Government Publishing Office play really
00:40critical roles in helping us do exactly the sort of work we are here today to do. They help us in
00:46drafting legislation, getting expert opinion and research to inform the process, and even printing
00:52the bills and reports before us. They are, no doubt, legislative branch agencies, but right now,
00:58the appointing process for the heads of these agencies involves the executive branch. That does
01:03not make a lot of sense, no matter who the president is, and I do believe it's time we modernize these
01:09processes and make sure that agency heads are appointed by the legislative branch. This is
01:14actually a step we took a few years back to ensure the selection process for the architect of the
01:20Capitol, and make sure it's in Congress's hands, and it makes all the sense in the world to now update
01:25these statutes for these legislative branch agencies as well. Now, I do understand that Senate leadership
01:32and the authorizing committees of jurisdiction are trying to address this matter. I feel strongly
01:37as appropriators, we should not be silent on this important separation of powers issue, but Madam Chair,
01:44I know you share the importance of the separation of powers and the impact on these three agencies,
01:49so at this time, I will not offer my amendment, but want a commitment that we will continue to work
01:55to get this done. Absolutely, important issue. Are there, Senator Brett? Just want to make sure that the chair and ranking member have the funds they need to fix the train.
02:08Yes, we were just discussing that as we were stuck on the train. As Marta and I were stuck on the train, we figured out there has to be a way for us to work forward on this, and we will. Not that I don't like spending time with him, just not stuck in a train. Thank you, then I'll withdraw my amendment.
02:14An excellent one it was. Are there any other members who seek to offer an amendment or speak on this bill?
02:21If not, seeking no further amendments, the bill will be reported as amended.
02:26Madam Chair, can I say one thing, too? If anybody has concerns on our security, what we're trying to do, please feel free to reach out to me. I just didn't want to say it in a public setting, because I believe it is sensitive.
02:33So, I'll be happy to visit with you on a one-on-one or a group setting, and tell you what program we're running and how we plan on moving forward with it.
