As Chairman Steil highlighted:
"I look forward to hearing from you, Mr. McFarland, about how we can further restore trust in the House Sergeant at Arms’ office.
"Last Congress, under previous leadership, the House Sergeant at Arms’ office developed misguided practices that damaged the office’s mission and capabilities.
"This led to severe morale and retention issues within the office.
"But this is not unique to the Office of the House Sergeant at Arms.
"Capitol security at large has had issues with political interference going back to 2020 and the start of the pandemic.
"Following the January 6th attack on the Capitol, these issues became even more pervasive.
"The House Sergeant at Arms is one of three voting members of the US Capitol Police Board, which provides oversight of the US Capitol Police.
"Following COVID and January 6th, deeply politicized directives ultimately bred mistrust and eroded confidence among many in the Capitol Hill community in the both the House Sergeant at Arms’ office and the Capitol Police Board.
"Let me share some examples of those directives.
"The inconsistent criteria on when to put up fencing around the Capitol.
"The enforcement of different health policies on the House side than the Senate side.
"The different practices when dealing with threats against Members of Congress depending on party affiliation.
"The placement of metal detectors outside the House floor, and then selectively enforcing who goes through those and inconsistently issuing fines.
"This politicization of Capitol security is, in part, why Speaker McCarthy named you, Mr. McFarland, the Acting House Sergeant at Arms at the start of the 118th Congress.
"With new leadership in the office and on the Capitol Police Board, you have the opportunity to restore trust in the House Sergeant at Arms’ office and return the Capitol Police Board to its original mission of oversight of Capitol Police, rather than direct management.
"I look forward to hearing how you plan to lead these much-needed reforms, and the actions you will take as a member of the Board to empower USCP to run its own department while still holding them accountable to their strategic goals.
"In the first quarter of this year, you have already worked hard to reinstate professionalism, bipartisanship, and regular order to the office and Capitol security more broadly.
"This includes implementing standard non-partisan operating procedures and establishing clear structure and internal operations that have led to improvements in morale and culture.
"I also look forward to hearing from you on what efforts are underway to plan for the long-term future of the institution’s security.
"Today’s hearing is another step we are taking to restore faith in the office and professionalize the House.
"Our goal today is to help provide accountability and transparency while further looking for ways we can work together to make the House Sergeant at Arms’ 118th Strategic Plan a reality.
"I also want to thank the men and women who serve in the Sergeant at Arms’ office for the work they do every day to keep this institution, members, staff, and visitors safe."
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