WASHINGTON — Members of Congress were blocked from entering the U.S. Department of Education building Friday.
Videos surfaced online Friday, February 7 showing a man in plainclothes standing in front of the entrance to the federal building. He was surrounded by a crowd, identifying themselves as members of congress. The man claimed “I have security responsibility.”
An unidentified voice asked “were you told to deny members of Congress entrance to this building?” Several repeated the same question, including Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.). The man replied “There’s no business purpose to be here.”
One voice can be heard saying “many of us are on the education committee.” One rep can be seen showing his badge. Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), confirmed committee members, can be seen and heard in the group.
“Over the years, Democrats and Republicans have had policy differences, but this is way more than a policy difference. This is them dismantling government without the consent of the people,” Bonamici said, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle. “This is not normal. Nothing feels normal right now.”
Members of Congress blocked from Education Department
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) can be seen and heard saying he sent a letter informing the Education Secretary that the group was coming. He said neither she nor her spokesperson had informed the group that entry would be denied. The alleged security guard claimed he was relaying the message that no one had accepted a meeting.
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) can be seen and heard explaining this is what “full transparency” means to the new administration. She said it is represented by “A private contractor who, on his own, is making decisions on behalf of the Department of Education.”
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