House President Nancy Pelosi (D-California) announced on Wednesday that members of the House who ignore new security procedures, including the refusal to walk through metal detectors, will soon be subject to fines of $ 5,000 or more.
Several Republican representatives either refused to participate in the new security investigations or openly denounced them. The bounce began after security was tightened Tuesday after last week’s uprising by violent supporters of President Donald Trump, who stormed the Capitol as Congress convened to confirm the election of President-elect Joe Biden.
“On behalf of the House, I express my sincere thanks to the U.S. Capitol Police for the bravery they displayed during the deadly uprising on the Capitol for protecting the lives of staff and Congress,” Pelosi said in a statement. . “Unfortunately, many Republicans of the House have only a few days despised our heroes by verbally abusing them and refusing to take basic precautions to keep members of our Congregational community, including the Capitol Police, safe.”
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“The house will soon continue with a rule change that imposes fines on those who do not want to comply with this protection,” she explained. “The fine for the first offense is $ 5,000 and $ 10,000 for the second offense. The fines are deducted directly from the members’ salaries by the chief administrator. It is tragic that this step is necessary, but the House of Commons must and will be safe. ‘
GOP members who denounced security or allegedly refused to participate on Tuesday included representatives Louie Gohmert (Texas), Steve Stivers (Ohio), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Van Taylor (Texas). , Debbie Lesko (Ariz.) And Rep. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.). Some have been seen pushing past long screening lines, walking around on the metal detector and Capitol police officers, arguing that their rights are being violated or indignant remarks such as “you can not stop me.”
Critics have accused Pelosi of installing security as a ‘political stunt’. Some Republicans have insisted that they have the right to carry guns in the Capitol. Firearms are allowed on the Capitol site, but house rules prohibit them from being taken into the room. The new screening procedures apply to anyone entering the room, although so far only Republicans have been seen refusing to comply.
House Democrats can soon further fuel the flames of partisan outrage by introducing fines for members who refuse to wear face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, another requirement mostly ignored by GOP members. According to the Associated Press, lawmakers who fail to do so are fined $ 500 for the first offense and $ 2,500 for the second, citing a senior House Democratic assistant who speaks on condition of anonymity.
Newsweek reached the Republican National Committee for comment.
It is not clear whether the metal detectors were still a major point of contention when the House met Wednesday to accuse Trump of allegedly inciting the Capitol uprising. Trump became the first president to be twice charged with the help of 10 Republicans who voted with their Democratic colleagues for indictment.
The uprising resulted in at least five deaths and many more injuries. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick has died after a violent Trump supporter allegedly hit him in the head with a fire extinguisher. Several other officers sustained injuries after being physically attacked by the rioting crowd, who presumably believed the riot could lead to Trump remaining in power, despite losing the election.