A series of high-profile security incidents is shaking up members of Congress and prompting Capitol security officials to take major steps to beef up security for lawmakers.
Why it matters: Threats against lawmakers have skyrocketed in recent years, and many are still reeling from the violence of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Driving the news: The House sergeant-at-arms announced plans Wednesday to cover the costs of security upgrades to members’ homes, including $10,000 for equipment and installation costs and $150 a month for to monitoring and maintenance.
- The incident came just weeks after a man was arrested for threatening Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) outside her home while armed with a gun.
- Most recently, Rep. Lee Zeldin (RNY), who is running for governor of New York, was attacked by a man holding a sharp object at a campaign event.
What they’re saying: Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who chairs an appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Capitol Police, told Axios that “everyone is on high alert” in the wake of these incidents.
- “The threats are real, the increases have been incredible,” he said. “We have to do everything we can to make sure people are safe. There are a lot of feral cats out there.”
- Ryan said Capitol Police and the sergeant-at-arms are doing enough to keep members safe “so far,” but added, “We have a lot more to do.”
- A Capitol Police spokesperson told Axios that “we cannot discuss what we can do or not do to protect members.”
The other side: Jayapal said he doesn’t think security officials are doing enough. “I think we need a lot more. And, you know, I’ve learned a lot from going through this myself,” she told Axios.
- Jayapal said the sergeant-at-arms award is a “good step,” but that requires “a pool of money [for] when we have a serious threat to our residences.”
- After being threatened outside her home, she said, she received an assessment that recommended $50,000 to $60,000 in security improvements.
- He also said security officials should help clean up members’ addresses from the Internet and improve their communication with member offices.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who has received many death threats, wants a fundamental overhaul of member security.
- “If you are part of a certain commission, if you have one [leadership] title, your security is already taken care of. But we have more and more … rank and file members, not just me, but many others, who are subject to increasing threats,” he told Axios.
- There should be “an assessment of the actual threat environment for each individual member,” he said.
- Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), the ranking member of the House Administration Committee, told Axios, “Zeldin almost got stabbed — there should have been a Capitol Police detail immediately going to New York to protect him.”
The backdrop: Capitol security and law enforcement took no chances with Thursday’s congressional baseball game, which has been the subject of violence in the past.
- The event was targeted this year by climate protesters who vowed to “shut down” the game.
- In response, D.C. police increased security at the game, Capitol police urged protesters to stay away, and the House sergeant-at-arms sent a memo to offices to assure them that there a “comprehensive security plan”.
- The demonstration led to several arrests but no violence.