Tensions in lawmakers are intensifying this week after a Republican lawmaker almost carried a gun to the floor of the House, raising even more concerns about Capitol security and whether members of Congress need protection from each other.
Renewed anxiety just two weeks after the Jan. 6 deadly attack was sparked by Rep. Andy Harris
Andrew (Andy) Peter Harris: Tensions are spreading after a gun incident near the floor of the house Ocasio-Cortez says lawmakers fear colleagues may drop firearms on the floor of House La Capitol police investigate report from Maryland government representative Andy Harris, who tried to carry a gun to the floor of the house MORE (R-Md.) When he fired a newly installed metal detector on the floor of the house with a concealed pistol, despite the ban on firearms in the chamber for a long time.
The incident followed numerous reports from other Republicans, accustomed to overlooking metal detectors at the Capitol, blurring new security measures. Some Democrats now openly express that they do not feel safe around certain colleagues.
Anger and mistrust in the wake of this month’s chapter attack by Trump supporters makes some lawmakers have issues that intense debates become violent.
“Look, the temperature is high right now politically,” he receives. Jared Huffman
Jared William Huffman: Tensions over gun incident near house floor Attack on Capitol scars permeates high-security inauguration Confidence among lawmakers hits historic lows after riots of the Capitol MORE (D-California) told The Hill. “It’s crazy to trust a system of honor that can allow something really tragic to happen. And I would say it’s a matter of time before I do it. “
Rep. Kathleen Rice
Kathleen Maura Rice: Tensions Grow After Gun Arms Near House Floor Confidence in Lawmakers Reaches Historic Lows After Capitol Riots Trump’s Georgia Call Triggers Debate on Criminal Sanctions MORE (DN.Y.) said he would never have imagined violence during the floor debate when he began serving in the House in 2015. Now, he says, it’s another story.
“You can’t be afraid that the person you’re having a little discussion on the ground with the C-SPAN display might shoot a gun and, as if, shoot you,” Rice said.
“If you had told me that six years ago, I would say,‘ Whoever is afraid of this is crazy. That would never happen. Now? Sorry. All bets are off. It’s a totally different climate. Totally different climate. And we have to acknowledge that. “
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says lawmakers fear colleagues leaking firearms on the floor of the Ocasio-Cortez house spent the opening afternoon supporting New York striking workers Budowsky: Democracy won, Trump lost, President Biden inaugurated MORE (DN.Y.), who revealed he had a “close meeting” on Jan. 6, cited security concerns about not attending President Biden’s inauguration, and said during an interview with Cuomo Prime Time “on CNN that” we still don’t “feel safe around other members of Congress.”
Metal detectors were installed last week after GOP representatives Lauren Boebert (Colorado) and Madison Cawthorn (NC) publicly discussed bringing their weapons to Capitol Hill. Both were also part of several House Republicans who engaged in inflammatory rhetoric to promote the early President Trump
Donald Trump McCarthy says he told Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene he disagreed with his dismissal articles against Biden Biden, and Trudeau agrees to meet next month Trump planned to dismiss the AG action to cancel Georgia’s election results: MORE reportfalse allegations of election fraud before the Capitol attack that left five people dead.
In the past, lawmakers had at times become violent during heated debates on the ground. Many of the physical altercations erupted during the slavery fights in the 1800s, including World War II infamous cane of abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner in 1856 and a debate in the House in 1858 that led to fists between Pennsylvania Republican Galusha Grow and South Carolina Democrat Laurence Keitt before more than 30 lawmakers joined the fighting.
Earlier this month, a fight nearly erupted between lawmakers, including Harris, during tonight’s debate over a GOP challenge to the results of the Electoral College, just hours after the pro-Trump mob reached the Capitol.
There are currently no punitive measures in place for lawmakers fleeing Capitol police when they head to the floor of the house. But the House is expected to vote to enact fines ($ 5,000 for a first offense and $ 10,000 for subsequent ones) when it returns to the session during the first week of February.
Members of Congress are exempt from regulations banning weapons on the Capitol grounds and, until last week, from metal detectors at the complex.
Lawmakers can keep weapons in their offices or transport them (unloaded and wrapped safely) to any other place in the Capitol complex below. 1967 rule. But they are forbidden to take them to the chambers of the House or Senate or to adjacent areas.
Meanwhile, all staff, journalists, and visitors must go through metal detectors to enter the Capitol or nearby office buildings and may not carry firearms anywhere on the premises unless specifically authorized.
Harris’ office suggested the weapon the Maryland Republican was carrying for self-defense, saying he and his family have recently faced security threats.
“Because the life of his family and his family has been threatened by someone who has been released pending trial, for security reasons, the congressman never confirms whether he or anyone with whom they carry a firearm fire for self-defense.As a matter of public record, he has a Maryland pistol permit.And the congressman always complies with the house metal detectors and fun.The congressman has never brought a firearm to the House floor, ”Harris’ office said in a statement.
Lawmakers on both sides have been facing increased threats against them since 2016. Some argue that the biggest threat to lawmakers comes from extremists who also threaten relatives.
“I think the more of the threat is the fewer members, frankly, and more of others who are like the lawless thugs who attacked the Capitol and these national terrorist groups that have obviously led us to have 20,000 national guards in the Capitoli, ”said the rep. Josh Gottheimer
Joshua (Josh) Gottheimer Tensions spread after gun incident near house floor Lawmaker introduces penalty for duplication of bills for insurrection after Capitol riots Caucus co-chair GOP problem solvers says he will vote for 000 MORE checks (DN.J.).
The New Jersey Democrat is handing out a letter calling for strengthened security funding for members ‘offices, regular briefings by Capitol security officials and efforts to keep members’ personal information off the Internet.
It is unclear how long National Guard troops will remain in the Capitol complex or when the 8-foot-high perimeter fence will be removed.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell: Trump’s indictment trial will begin the week of Feb. 8. Democrats float the 14th Amendment to ban Trump from office. Biden indicates he is willing to delay Trump’s trial MORE (R-Ky.) He said Friday that “keeping the Capitol safe cannot and does not require a large number of uniformed troops and vast emergency closure systems to stay forever.”
His. Chris Murphy
Christopher (Chris) Scott Murphy: Democrats float in 14th Amendment to ban Trump from office Senate approves resignation of Biden Pentagon candidate Democrats drop McConnell filibuster gambit MORE (Conn.), The top Democratic Senate committee that oversaw funding for the legislative branch, rejected the idea of installing magnetometers to enter the upper house.
“Our members so far seem to be much more responsible about the safety of the building,” Murphy said.
Meanwhile, some House Democrats, led by Huffman and Rice, say magnetometers outside the House should be permanent, in addition to ending the arms exemption for lawmakers.
They both acknowledged that it may also be time to require lawmakers to go through metal detectors as they enter the Capitol complex’s office buildings like everyone else.
“Just treat members like any other member of the public who enters the Capitol,” Huffman said. “You can’t have a system of honor with dishonorable people who think the rules don’t apply to them.”