Dem Reps Request Cots For National Guard After Photos Of Them Sleeping On Capitol Floors

[riversedge]

Source: TPM




Members of the National Guard take a rest in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 13, 2021, ahead of an expected House vote impeaching US President Donald Trump. - The Democrat-controlled US House... MORE

January 14, 2021 3:23 p.m.

Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Betty McCollum (D-MN), who sit on the House Appropriations Committee, asked Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy in a letter issued Thursday for the Pentagon to provide cots for National Guard members guarding the Capitol building.

The two lawmakers issued the request a day after troops were spotted in the hallways asleep after spending the night on the premises ahead of the House’s vote to impeach President Trump for “inciting the insurrection” at the Capitol last week.

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“After the horrific events of January 6th, the Congress is grateful to have National Guard troops assisting in the protection of the Capitol,” DeLauro and McCollum wrote. “We were disappointed though to see in a variety of images in the media, that Guard personnel are having to take breaks or rest on the floors of the Capitol.”

DeLauro and McCollum added that after the House Appropriation Committee spoke with Vice Chief of Staff, General Martin, on a call, they “understand that not all Guard personnel currently have secured lodging” and that the Army is considering using the convention center for lodging...............................

Read more: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/dem-reps-cots-national-guard-troops-capitol

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Good for them.

Imagine sleeping on a cold hard floor. I wonder if they have had a hot meal since they arrived. ??





Members of the National Guard take a rest in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 13, 2021, ahead of an expected House vote impeaching US President Donald Trump. - The Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives on Wednesday opened debate on a historic second impeachment of President Donald Trump over his supporters' attack of the Capitol that left five dead.Lawmakers in the lower chamber are expected to vote for impeachment around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) -- marking the formal opening of proceedings against Trump. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty I

[Cha]

2. Oh Good.. I was thinking of Cots

yesterday 'cause that's what I'd want!

[mysteryowl]

3. Yes, it would take a dem to think of caring for the troops.

When I saw the pictures I thought about that cold, hard, marble floor.

They will be there for days.

[BeyondGeography]

4. At least one party gives a shit about people

Not that they get much credit.

[WinstonSmith4740]

19. And if it's ever brought up,

I'm sure we can count on Chuck Todd to say both sides do it.

[Alpeduez21]

5. This is part of the job for which they volunteered

Not to downplay what soldiers do. This is a good gig. Inside, climate controlled, there’s probably a water fountain down the hall, access to a head. They’re following the code: never run when you can walk. Never walk when you can stand. Never stand when you can sit. Never sit when you can lie down. Never stay awake when you can sleep.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Also, I suppose a cot could be a trip hazard or weapon.

[Skittles]

8. not to mention they have youth on their side

I know that helps

[CottonBear]

13. Yoga mats or full length camping mats would be safe and compact. nt

[COL Mustard]

15. They Came Quickly. The Logistical Tail Will Take A Few Days To Catch Up

But it'll catch up and while they won't be living the life of Riley (look that one up), they'll have at least some creature comforts.

[liberalmuse]

18. There is an article out from a mother of a soldier.

They are cold most of the time, don't have access to laundry facilities and aren't allowed to drink coffee because of the optics. I was in the military. This is unacceptable. It may seem silly, but being able to have a coffee made things bearable when I was in the Army when we were in the middle of nowhere and it was freezing outside

[4Q2u2]

39. No Coffee

Now that will lead to an insurrection.
Or at least a couple of Negligent Discharges, Wink Wink.

Joe havin a cup of Joe to break off that early morning crust. Life Saver.

[Judi Lynn]

21. Had never heard the "code" before reading it just now. Very enjoyable. Hope to use it as my motto! 🌟

[TomSlick]

30. I learned that rule as a young cadet.

Back in the old days.

[33taw]

33. Water fountains are shut off because of COVID19..

[4Q2u2]

38. I always told my bubba's

Eat when you can eat
Rest when you can rest
Sleep when you can sleep
Shit when you can shit.

You never know when you are going to be able to get another chance.

[C Moon]

7. There are probably some in the GOP who want them tired.

[SheltieLover]

9. I'm so glad!

This is disgraceful!

[IronLionZion]

10. There's a lot of them staying in a hotel in my neighborhood

so maybe they have rotations or something like that. Cots or sleeping bags/mats would be great. Good that Dems are looking out for these troops.

[Politicub]

24. They work in 12-hour shifts.

And these are pictures of breaktimes.

[marlakay]

11. Hubby said waiting in very large warehouse

During Vietnam war to ship out was like that. He was drafted in army.

[torius]

12. Guess they can't social distance?

Covid doesn't sleep. Masks aren't always enough indoors.

[JohnnyRingo]

14. Air mattresses.

They're easily stowed and can't be weaponized.
Considering how many blowhards there are in Congress, inflation is no prob.

[orangecrush]

16. ...

[jmowreader]

17. The Army hasn't issued air mattresses in decades

They issue a "sleeping mat" which is basically a big yoga mat you roll out and put your sleeping bag on. ALl of us who've punched holes in our air mattresses by laying them on sharp rocks are eternally grateful.

[JohnnyRingo]

35. It appears the times are changing.

The next front may be in our city metropolises.
Combat Recliner Air StateHouse with Optional Upper Tarp or CRASH OUT.
Now it's a $700 air mattress.

[LiberalLoner]

37. +1

[elleng]

20. That plaque on the right commemorates the troops that were quartered in the US Capitol

during the Civil War (companies from MA, NY, PA, and DC)

Link to tweet

?

[FailureToCommunicate]

31. Great detail. Thanks!

[jb5150]

22. Even in the Navy ...

I remember sleeping on the cold metal deck a few times, you make the best of what you have sometimes.

[Politicub]

23. These pictures are so misleading. They make it look like they have to live in

the Capitol and sleep on the floor. The troops are staying at hotels when they’re not on duty.

I trust the military to manage the troops, and I would like the democrats asking for cots to tell the whole story. Seeing the troops on the floor prompted me to read more about it, and I went down a rabbit hole reading about the national guard. These are well-trained pros and it does them a disservice when they’re micromanaged.

[Rhiannon12866]

25. Yes! And I agree, hope they're being fed, too!

[PatrickforO]

26. This is why I am a Democrat - among many reasons - but this caring for

the well-being, comfort and welfare of others - that is it for me.

[bucolic_frolic]

27. What? THE PILLOW GUY isn't there?

[Aristus]

28. I spent four years sleeping on the floors of gymnasiums, warehouses,

and maintenance facilities prior to deployment to training areas, the Gulf, another duty station, etc. I did okay.

Although, ask any tanker, he would prefer to sleep on his tank...

[Billytee]

29. These are OUR men and women in uniform. They are...

the "big stick" of our democracy CURRENTLY defending the United States Capital. As a USMC vet, I'd like to know what comforts should not be afforded to them.

[4Q2u2]

40. The one we cannot give them

Not having to be there in the first place. The comfort of knowing that this Democracy is cherished and secure by it's own Citizenry!

[Grokenstein]

32. Remember this when the mindless parrots chant "both sides bad."

[riverwalker]

34. Another article said food is cold

Cold spaghetti, no coffee. Hope things are better now.

[The Jungle 1]

36. Cots are issued as part of their gear.