Eleanor Holmes Norton

You are presumed to be under oath here. We don't, and I may have to do this.

I need to know when you think you will be ready with a minimal security model that we can begin to work from in the Congress.

You have no idea when they will be out because, say that again?

FPS doesn't need to if it is in consultation with people who do have access and they are acting reasonably.

What good is that? Don't they need some retraining?

Forever is a long time.

But you heard testimony here that shows that that is not the case.

Let me understand. Because, you know, per square foot makes some sense.

Frankly, I don't like the building very much.

I am only asking since you are a new regime, if you will forgive me, if you would be willing to look at things...

So what is the problem with the building assessment if they are looking at it building by building?

People who brought this to our attention were young people. They are going to start snapping the pictures left and right.

I am also telling you that this is a matter of security.

The notion that Federal officers would restrain American citizens from exercising their right to express themselves in public, including taking of photographs, is, on its face, unconstitutional.

You are going to within 30 days provide this Committee with information on your goal for getting a plan.

It looks like the GSA or the FPS is buried when it comes to security.

I say that the Federal agencies have lacked that oversight.

I know exactly how this was built. It took me 10 years to get the darn building up.

Absolutely. That bothered us. Two months to take down a sign saying that a monumental public possession of the United States of America is private property.

I believe security isn't worth a tinker's damn, if you will forgive the expression.

There is a serious risk to go up to a law abiding person who is exercising her first amendment rights.

Would you consider the Department of Transportation a high risk facility for terrorist attack?

I believe the terrorist is better able to take pictures off the property.

So you are doing what you don't have the authority to do. Who has the authority?

So how do we know that the building is secure if you are not evaluated on security?