Dems raise alarms about Capitol security ahead of State of the Union

February 02, 2023

House Democrats are raising concerns about Capitol security after House Republicans scaled back safeguards put in place after Jan. 6.

Why it matters: The renewed focus on Capitol security comes ahead of President Biden's State of the Union address, when nearly all members of Congress, Biden's cabinet and the Supreme Court will be packed into the House chamber.

Driving the news: More than a dozen House Democrats penned a letter to congressional leadership on Wednesday expressing "urgent concern for the safety and security of the President, other dignitaries, and guests at the upcoming State of the Union[.]"

  • "The GOP House Majority’s new rules have made the safety and security of the House Chamber ... at risk to infiltration and violence with reckless changes to necessary preventative measures," they wrote.
  • It cites Jan. 6 and, more recently, Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) sending inert grenades to colleagues as evidence that "the House is vulnerable to multiple fronts of attacks both from inside and outside Congress."
  • The letter requests information on what steps leadership and Capitol security officials are taking to protect State of the Union attendees.

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The backdrop: Republicans, upon taking the majority last month, allowed metal detectors set up outside the House chamber after Jan. 6 to be taken down.

Zoom in: The letter follows a cacophonous Natural Resources Committee meeting on Wednesday at which Democrats tried and failed to reinstate a ban on lawmakers carrying guns in committee rooms, which Republicans removed from the rules.

  • Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who introduced the amendment reinstating the ban, asked committee members for a show of hands if they "do not have a weapon on them." All Democrats but only a few Republicans raised their hands.
  • "I feel like I need [a gun] everywhere here," said Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) after Huffman asked if members feel they need a gun in committee hearings. She specified that the gun she carries would be loaded.
  • "We will never hurt you," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said, "I will use my firearm to defend you, just to be clear."

 

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By:  Andrew Solender
Source: Axios