"Congress members express fear": Shootings in Minnesota prompt renewed safety apprehensions among legislators
Updated Article:
The lethal shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers has sparked a heated debate on Capitol Hill, prompting Congress members to express concerns about their safety amid an increase in politically fueled threats.
Congressional lawmakers have been attending security briefings since the tragic incident, with many being advised to allocate funds from their office budgets for home security systems and private security. While a select few congressional leaders benefit from 24/7 protection from Capitol Police, most members can request additional security if deemed necessary.
Despite these assurances, lawmakers express persistent apprehension, having faced multiple violent disturbances on American political officials in the last 15 years, including assassination attempts on presidential candidates and members of Congress, and the infamous Capitol riot.
A senior House lawmaker described the climate as "scary as sh-t," explaining that they have implemented new security protocols since the January 6, 2021, event, which include coordinating travel arrangements with local law enforcement.
Further investigation on Monday revealed that the suspect, Vance Boelter, impersonated a police officer and visited the homes of four elected officials, resulting in the murder of state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the serious wounding of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife in a separate shooting. Boelter was apprehended on Sunday night.
The names of several congressional leaders were found in Boelter's vehicle, including Sens. Tina Smith (MN), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Angie Craig (MN), Debbie Dingell (MI), and Greg Landsman (OH).
Democrat Representative Tammy Baldwin urged for a reduction in political violence, stating, "There's no place for political violence ever. Words matter." Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI) canceled a scheduled town meeting after discovering her name was also on Boelter's list.
Elected officials demanding more security
Following the Minnesota shootings, House Democratic leaders urged their Republican counterparts to step up efforts to safeguard members of Congress. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) and Rep. Joe Morelle (NY), the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, petitioned Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) to increase the House members' official budgets, which would support enhanced security measures within each office.
Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about limited funds available for security needs, fearing that investing in security might affect other critical expenditures. To raise office budgets, an increase in the annual legislative branch appropriations bill would need to be approved by Congress.
In a joint statement, Jeffries and Morelle emphasized, "Representatives from both sides of the aisle have endured assassination attempts that changed their lives and careers forever. Too many other patriotic public servants have left Congress because they no longer felt safe carrying out their duty as elected officials."
In response to the 2020 attempted assassination of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas (NJ), Congress passed a bill in 2022 to protect judges' personal information and enable them to redact personal details in certain online cases.
Since the Minnesota shootings, discussions surrounding the passage of a bill that would provide similar protections to members of Congress have resurfaced, according to an informed source.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN) expressed her long-held advocacy for data privacy, including the residences of lawmakers, and stated that she has faced resistance in the past. She hopes the Minnesota shootings may persuade her colleagues to support these measures.
Following the Minnesota shootings, members of Congress held a virtual call with the House Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police leaders to discuss their security concerns. This call turned tense as numerous members expressed apprehension, particularly regarding their safety when traveling to their districts.
- House Democratic leaders are urging Republican counterparts to boost security measures for members of Congress following the Minnesota shootings, suggesting an increase in the official budgets which would support enhanced security within each office.
- Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the availability of funds for security needs, fearing that investing in security might affect other critical expenditures, and they might need to seek an increase in the annual legislative branch appropriations bill to raise their office budgets.
- Discussions surrounding the passage of a bill that would provide similar protections to members of Congress, such as protecting their personal information and enabling them to redact personal details, have resurfaced in light of the Minnesota shootings, according to an informed source. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has advocated for data privacy in the past, hopes the shootings may persuade her colleagues to support these measures.
