Lawmakers confronting a rise in political violence are grappling over whether to use more tax dollars for their own protection, even as Republicans search for deep cuts across the federal government.
That question will be tested next week, when the House Legislative Branch appropriations bill funding the operations of Capitol Hill gets marked up.
Top congressional Democrats are pushing for more money for both Capitol Police and for a program that provides funding for lawmakers’ personal security after the weekend shootings of state lawmakers in Minnesota. Some Republicans are also calling for a funding boost.
Only a select few leaders in each chamber have 24/7 security, while rank-and-file members have little day-to-day protection unless they’ve been deemed to be under an active threat. Some members, like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), want more widespread coverage.
There’s one problem: Some lawmakers have been reticent to take advantage of the resources that are already on offer. They can use official office funds to buy security equipment and take advantage of a program providing security upgrades for lawmakers’ primary residences. Capitol Police also offer to coordinate some in-district events with state and local police departments.
But while more than half of House lawmakers last year participated in the home security program, hundreds of thousands of dollars in security resources were left unspent, with those not enrolled citing either lack of interest or a feeling that the paperwork and approval process was too burdensome, according to two people familiar with the initiative.
Others are simply wary of additional safety measures that would restrict their freedom of movement and interactions with the public (not to mention intrude on family life).
“I don’t want to have security on me. I’m a very private person. I like to go outside and be by myself,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that funds Capitol Police.
Even so, the Capitol security budget could grow to new heights. The USCP budget request for fiscal 2026 is $967.8 million — a 22 percent boost over current levels. With lawmakers now calling for even beefier security post-Minnesota, the budget for the relatively small force could soon top $1 billion.
What else we’re watching:
— GOP megabill’s unresolved issues: Rank-and-file Republican senators’ revolt over GOP leaders’ megabill changes is threatening to derail Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s goal to pass it next week. Even as the White House pushes to get the bill to Trump’s desk by Independence Day, Vice President JD Vance told Senate Republicans Tuesday the ultimate deadline to get it to Trump’s desk is the August recess.
— Biden “cover-up” hearing: Congressional Republicans will hold their first hearing Wednesday on President Joe Biden’s mental decline. No Biden associates will appear before the panel co-chaired by Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas). Instead, the hearing will include testimony from former Trump administration officials — including former press secretary Sean Spicer and former deputy assistant Theo Wold.
— Rescissions update: Republicans will hold a hearing next Wednesday on the White House’s rescissions package. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Senate’s top appropriator, said she wants “an in-depth hearing so that everybody knows exactly what is proposed and what the justification is.” OMB Director Russ Vought will testify.
Nicholas Wu, Jordain Carney, Hailey Fuchs, Jennifer Scholtes and Sophia Cai contributed to this report.
