Chairman Ryan Statement at Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request for the Architect of the Capitol

2022-04-27 14:16

Statement

Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), Chair of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request for the Architeect of the Capitol:

For our third and final panel today, I would like to welcome the Architect of the Capitol, the Honorable Brett Blanton to present the AOC's fiscal year 2023 budget request. Mr. Blanton, thank you and the AOC team for your commitment to the Capitol Complex. I also want to thank Jonathan Kraft and Christine Leonard for their work during the last Appropriations cycle and getting us up to speed quickly as we transitioned Subcommittee team members.

For fiscal year 2023, the AOC is requesting $1.67 billion, an increase of $890.5 million or 115 percent in appropriated funds over what was provided last year. This is a significant request. I see that at least 71 percent of this increase is focused on addressing the physical security changes that have been recommended in reports following the January 6th attack on the Capitol. I hope you can provide more details on the additional needs for this increase in your testimony today.

A smoothly functioning AOC is important to all Members and staff. We understand the workload for AOC staff continues to increase as you continue to work on ongoing projects and, simultaneously addressing the new challenges that have arisen this past year. On top of that, the AOC continues to face a significant backlog of substantial facility renovation needs, both immediate and long-term; new construction projects requiring design and implementation; and there continues to be concerns regarding discrimination in the AOC workplace.

As you tackle these very important issues, you will have our subcommittee's support, however it is critical you give us some reassurances today about how your budget request addresses these challenges.

117th Congress