House approves new fines for members who do not complete the security check before entering the floor

House approves new fines for members who do not complete the security check before entering the floor

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With the adoption of this rule on Tuesday night, members who do not comply with the security checks will be fined $ 5,000 for the first offense and $ 10,000 for a second offense. These fines will be deducted directly from the members’ salaries by the administrative head.

When metal detectors were installed outside the House floor on January 12 for all members and staff members to walk through, many lawmakers expressed their frustrations. The Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, who filmed a campaign ad to carry her gun around Capitol Hill before arriving in Washington, was also involved in a disagreement with Capitol police as he tried to get to the floor when the metal detectors have just been installed. . Republican Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland tried to take a hidden firearm to the house floor.

On Tuesday night, lawmakers complied with the new security measures and went through the metal detectors before entering the house floor. The vote was 216-210 in favor of the new rule.

Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the rules committee, said on the House floor on Tuesday why it is important for members to stick to the metal detectors.

“These metal detectors are manned by the same police officers who saved our lives during the uprising while risking their own danger,” McGovern said. “Some members on the other hand have disrespected these Capitol police officers, abused them, pushed them aside and disobeyed their orders – all in order to avoid this basic security measure. This is no way to treat our heroes.”

Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Rules Committee, argued against the new measure on the House floor on Tuesday.

“It’s a good recipe for chaos to require members to go through a metal detector every time they enter the living room, even if they have not left the area.” “It’s impossible for members to socially distance themselves when they are stacked in a queue to wait their turn as they go through the metal detectors,” Cole said, adding, “this is a clear recipe for disorganization and ‘ a latch. “

The fine also seeks to address the growing concern of members who feel insecure at the Capitol following the violent uprising, and those who have wanted to step up their security since the attack for fear of other members.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat in California, told reporters last week that although she was committed to addressing her colleagues’ concerns about security, the effort was hampered because “the enemy is inside the House of Representatives,” with reference to the rhetoric and behavior of some Republican members of Congress.

Pelosi issued a statement Tuesday night after accepting the rule.

“It is beyond comprehension why any member would refuse to follow these simple, sensible steps to keep this body safe,” Pelosi said. ‘It is sad that we have been forced to continue with a rule change that imposes fines on those who refuse to comply with this protection, but the People’s House must and will be safe so that we can fulfill our responsibility to the People’s work to do . “

This story was updated on Tuesday with additional developments.

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