WASHINGTON – Several Republican lawmakers complained about – or completely circumvented – the metal detectors to enter the House floor on Tuesday, which were ordered put in place by Mayor Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after last week’s deadly riot on Capitol Hill.
Before a House vote Tuesday night calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office, Republican members expressed anger and frustration at accessing the chamber.
Republican representatives Louie Gohmert of Texas, Steve Stivers of Ohio, Van Taylor of Texas, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Debbie Lesko of Arizona and Larry Bucshon of Indiana, among others, were seen not obeying police at checkpoints or complaining about their implementation, according to the press and media reports
Boebert, a newly elected member who promised in a viral video to carry a gun on Capitol Hill, was seen in an apparent dispute with police over the verification of the metal detector.
“I am legally authorized to carry my firearm in Washington, DC and inside the Capitol complex,” she tweeted. “Metal detectors outside the Chamber would not have prevented the violence we saw last week – it is just another political ploy by Mayor Pelosi.”
The members, however, were informed: “firearms are restricted to the Member’s Office”
Taylor refused to go through the metal detector and argued with the police about it, according to Dep. Don Beyer, D-Va.
Deputy Rodney Davis, R-Ill., Told police at the door “this is bulls —” as he passed security, pointing out that the police are protecting the wrong perimeter.
“The threat is not on the inside of the building. You are taking valuable resources from where they need to be. And you did this without any consultation with the minority. “Davis told the minority leader in the Chamber, Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Outside the Chamber.” Bulls —-. “
The new measure apparently created tensions between some members and the police. Republican Representative Rodney Davis of Illinois reported a dispute between a member and the police while talking to reporters on Capitol Hill.
Representative Steve Scalise, R-La., Who survived a gunshot during a Congressional baseball game in 2017, told reporters that the extra layer of security was not needed and criticized Pelosi for “preventing” members from voting, and said that this change was “never discussed” with the GOP leadership.
Lesko, in a tweet, blamed Pelosi.
“In order for members of Congress to be able to enter the plenary of the United States House, we now have to go through intense security measures, in addition to the security that we already have,” she said. “These new provisions include searches and being wiped out as criminals. Now we live in Pelosi’s communist America!”
Alex Moe and Haley Talbot reported from Washington and Dartunorro Clark from New York.
