U.S. House ramps up security as lawmakers' fears rise
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The U.S. House will dramatically increase the amount of money available to its members for their personal security as part of a new program launching next month, according to an email to congressional offices obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Threats against members of Congress have been on the rise for years, exacerbating a growing sentiment on Capitol Hill that serving in Congress is no longer worth the associated risks and challenges.
- Some House members, such as Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), have even cited fear for their families' safety as a factor in their decision to leave the job.
- The last two years alone have seen a two assassination attempts against President Trump, an act of arson against Gov. Josh Shapiro's (D-Pa.) home, the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers and the killing of Charlie Kirk.
- Just last week, a group of Democrats faced a surge of violent threats after President Trump said comments they made urging military service members to defy unlawful orders were "punishable by DEATH."
Driving the news: House sergeant-at-arms William McFarland said in an email Monday that members will have access to $20,000 per month to bulk up their security at their homes, district offices and while traveling.
- That is double the amount they were receiving after the Kirk shooting in September under a pilot program that McFarland said will now be made permanent on Dec. 1.
- McFarland also listed new security measures lawmakers are permitted to purchase for their homes with a separate $20,000 lifetime allotment, including fences, gates, ballistic or forced entry windows and window bars.
- Members will also receive up to $350 per month to monitor and maintain those home security systems, he said.
Zoom in: McFarland said the House is also launching a "Mobile Duress Program" that will allow members to send out a security alert to law enforcement from a mobile app.
- The app will alert police in the area, the Capitol Police and the the sergeant-at-arms' office, offering a "discreet manner for incidents where an overt call to law enforcement may not be possible," McFarland wrote.
- It will launch on Dec. 1 and be available to one immediate family member.
