MEMBER SECURITY ON THE MIND The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has, once again, raised longstanding questions about the safety of congressional lawmakers — both on Capitol Hill and back in their districts. Only a select few party leaders in each chamber have 24/7 security, while rank-and-file members have little official protection. And it’s also a complicated personal decision; many lawmakers tell us that they still value the freedom and connection to regular people they have without a security detail, despite the rising concerns. “When you have an event like this you do put your head on a swivel,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) said earlier this week. “But I'm a military guy, so I did that anyway. I'm aware of my surroundings at all times.” Lawmaker security is a constant conversation, but members are again raising questions after the Trump rally attack about what sort of protection could be set up when lawmakers are gathered, however unofficially, outside the security of the Capitol complex. They’ve asked how Capitol Police might protect popular apartment buildings where many members reside, D.C. fundraisers and even personal events like a birthday celebration at a downtown restaurant. It’s a question that Capitol Police are hoping to answer with proposals — and funding requests — for a vastly expanded mission for member protection within the national capital region. But that’s had its own problems: Just last week the House tanked the spending bill that provides funding for Capitol Police and member security and would have provided a $41 million (or 5.2 percent) boost to the Capitol Police budget. The security spending wasn’t a driving force in 10 Republicans voting it down, but it illustrates how the fate of security funding is tied to other priorities. In the Senate, appropriators cleared their version of the Legislative Branch spending bill out of the full committee — including the $41 million increase for Capitol Police. District security becomes even more complicated, since it is often on staffers, including political and constituent service aides, to coordinate security for members’ events. Staffers in both parties were briefed following the assassination attempt about plans and programs aimed at keeping lawmakers safe. Offices were reminded of what security measures can be covered by members' office expense accounts — from a bulletproof vest for the lawmaker to private security at official events in the district. There are two programs where the sergeants at arms and Capitol Police are hoping to boost participation: one for security updates at lawmakers’ primary residences and another to coordinate local and USCP resources for in-district events. The latter includes reimbursing local law enforcement for their help. And Capitol Police have tried to build strong working relationships with local departments to counter threats, swatting attempts and problems at town halls or other events — hoping to avoid the types of serious questions now swirling about the Secret Service’s coordination with local law enforcement in Butler County, Pa. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said that “situational awareness” is crucial, especially “given the polarized times that we are in.” The political violence, Peters said, is “very concerning.” He also warned against the “vitriol on social media right now,” calling it “not helpful.” Still, the reality is that the attempt on Trump’s life is just the most recent in a harrowing roster of violent attacks and rising threats against political leaders and their families in recent years. Capitol Police have tracked a significant uptick in threats against lawmakers, thousands more than just a few years ago. The department opened 8,008 threat assessment cases in 2023, an increase of more than 500 cases over 2022. Those numbers, released at the end of 2023, don’t capture the last seven months of this heated election cycle. — Katherine Tully-McManus with help from Sarah Ferris, Jordain Carney and Ursula Perano GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday July 17, where we’re mentally preparing for West Virginia political celebrity Babydog to maybe be roaming the Senate halls next year.
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