Huffman Sounds Alarm on Capitol Safety During State of the Union

Washington, D.C. – In the wake of Republican House Leadership removing security measures in the Capitol, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) led his colleagues in a letter requesting information on what steps Leadership is taking, in coordination with the House and Senate Sergeant at Arms, Secret Service, and other federal agencies to protect the President, Vice President, the diplomatic corps, Cabinet Secretaries, Supreme Court Justices, Senators, Representatives, and their guests during the State of the Union address on February 7, 2023.

“In the wake of the violent insurrection of January 6, an attempt by a Member of Congress to bring a concealed weapon on to the House Floor, other Members vowing to do so in contravention of House rules, and most recently a colleague distributing what appeared to be legitimate, and later revealed to be inert hand grenades on the House Floor, we know from experience that the House is vulnerable to multiple fronts of attacks both from inside and outside Congress. Considering the ability of Members of Congress to carry firearms in the capitol complex outside the House Floor, removal of magnetometers from the entrances to the House Floor, and with record threats against the lives of Members of Congress, the security of the House complex is today precarious,” the members wrote in their letter.

Earlier today, Rep Huffman re-introduced an amendment to the Natural Resources Committee rules package to explicitly prohibit carrying, or having readily available, any firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive, or incendiary device within the hearing rooms and conference rooms of the Committee. His amendment was passed in the 117^th Congress when Democrats held the majority, but failed today along party lines under Republican leadership. This is the latest step in his efforts to prevent gun violence in the Capitol. In December 2020, Rep. Huffman led a letter to House leadership requesting a change in House Rules for the 117th Congress to ensure that Members of Congress are held to the same firearm safety rules as the public while they are on Capitol grounds. Following the letter, he introduced the No Congressional Gun Loophole Act, which would exclude Members of Congress and staff from the Capitol Police Board’s exemption for firearms on Capitol Grounds.

The letter was signed by Representatives Shontel Brown (OH-11), André Carson (IN-07), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Lou Correa (CA-46), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), James McGovern (MA-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Mark Takano (CA-39), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

The full letter can be view here or below:

Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker McCarthy, and Minority Leader Jeffries:

We write with urgent concern for the safety and security of the President, other dignitaries, and guests at the upcoming State of the Union Address. The GOP House Majority’s new rules have made the safety and security of the House Chamber, the very seat of American Democracy, at risk to infiltration and violence with reckless changes to necessary preventative measures. As both of our chambers come together to hear a message from the President on the state of our Union, we are concerned for the safety and security of those present. 

In the wake of the violent insurrection of January 6, an attempt by a Member of Congress to bring a concealed weapon on to the House Floor, other Members vowing to do so in contravention of House rules, and most recently a colleague distributing what appeared to be legitimate, and later revealed to be inert hand grenades on the House Floor, we know from experience that the House is vulnerable to multiple fronts of attacks both from inside and outside Congress. Considering the ability of Members of Congress to carry firearms in the capitol complex outside the House Floor, removal of magnetometers from the entrances to the House Floor, and with record threats against the lives of Members of Congress, the security of the House complex is today precarious. 

We urgently request information on what steps you are taking, in coordination with the House and Senate Sergeant at Arms, Secret Service, and other federal agencies to protect the President, Vice President, the diplomatic corps, Cabinet Secretaries, Supreme Court Justices, Senators, Representatives, and their guests ahead of the State of the Union address on February 7, 2023. Any attack on this gathering would threaten our democracy and undermine the functionality of the entire federal government.  We are amenable to receiving a closed-door briefing on the security plan such that the contents discussed are not available to those who would wish to do State of the Union attendees harm.    

Sincerely,

[Members of Congress]

###

• Print
• Email
• Tweet