More than 30 lawmakers sign letter asking for possibility of using congressional allowance for security

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While the United States Capitol is protected by the United States Capitol Police with the support of strong security measures including vehicle barriers and metal detectors, most MPs spend the majority of their time. times in their congressional districts where security is often sparse, ”they wrote in the letter. “Protecting members in their district is much more difficult because local law enforcement agencies are strained and limited, and often do not have enough staff or money to provide regular protection to members. With the exception of leadership, members have no security details to protect them.

Thursday’s letter challenged existing rules regarding rules governing the use of membership allowances, describing the protocols as “burdensome and anachronistic, established in an era prior to the present.”

CBS News first reported the letter.
The demand is the latest development in a series of reactions to the deadly riot on Capitol Hill on January 6 that rocked lawmakers and their staff. As threats continue to mount against members of Congress, concern grows over the safety of some lawmakers as they move outside Washington and the security bubble it provides, multiple sources told CNN earlier this week.

The letter was written by Democratic Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Dean Phillips of Minnesota and addressed to Pelosi, McCarthy and Republican President and rank member of the House Administration Committee, Representatives Zoe Lofgren of California and Rodney Davis of Illinois. While the list was mostly signed by Democrats, one Republican signed on the letter – Representative Fred Upton of Michigan.

It comes after the House Administration Committee sent a letter to members earlier this month reminding them of the various options they had for security-related spending “in light of the tragic events related to the violation. seditious of the Capitol “.

The January 11 letter distributed to members reminded them that in their districts they can be reimbursed for security at a district event or outside district offices. The letter told members that the House Sergeant-at-Arms will provide “certain security enhancements” for district offices and that a bulletproof vest and security training are also considered reimbursable expenses.

The acting U.S. Capitol Police chief told members of Congress during a closed-door briefing Tuesday that “the department failed to meet its own high standards” on January 6 when a crowd of pro-Trump rioters invaded the Capitol building. Acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman called the insurgency a “terrorist attack” and offered it “a sincere apology on behalf of the department,” according to his prepared remarks at the Department. ‘a briefing for lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee with a number of agencies that had a security role on Jan.6.

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