WASHINGTON – The House on Tuesday night adopted a rule to impose fines on lawmakers who disregard new security measures requiring them to undergo security screening, including metal detectors, to enter the House floor.
Under the measure, lawmakers who refuse to comply would be fined $ 5,000 for the first offense and $ 10,000 for the second offense.
The new rule comes in the wake of the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Said in a statement on Tuesday that days after the attack, “many House Republicans began to disrespect our heroes, refusing to adhere to basic precautions to keep members of our Congress community safe – including avoiding metal detectors, physically pushing the police, and even trying to bring firearms into the chamber. “
“It is beyond understanding why any member would refuse to adhere to these simple and common-sense steps to keep this body safe,” said Pelosi.
According to the rule, members could appeal the fine to the Chamber’s Ethics Committee. If a member fails to pay the fine after a period of 90 days, the amount will be deducted from their paycheck. Lawmakers cannot use campaign funds or official funds to pay fines.
Since the metal detectors were installed outside the House floor, several Republicans have protested and circumvented them, some arguing that the exhibits violate their constitutional rights.
Freshman MP Lauren Boebert of Colorado said last month on Twitter: “I am legally allowed to carry my firearm in Washington, DC and inside the Capitol complex. Metal detectors outside the House would not have prevented the violence we saw last week – it’s just another political ploy by Mayor Pelosi. “
The US Capitol Police also launched an investigation last month over a complaint that Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., Attempted to shoot at the House floor.
Harris’s office answered questions about the investigation in a statement saying that “the congressman always abides by the Chamber’s metal detectors and wand” and that “he never carried a firearm on the floor of the Chamber”.
