Wednesday, June 28th 2017
After House GOP Whip Steve Scalise was shot during a Republican baseball practice in northern Virginia, lawmakers began reevaluating the security of their members when they are outside the Capitol. With the July 4th and August recesses coming up and protesters mobilized on the left and right, members are considering a more cautious approach to town hall meetings.
The shooting earlier this month sparked discussions between the House leadership on both sides of the aisle and the Capitol Police over how to better ensure member’s security, especially when a large number of congressman are gathered together for an event.
While the increased security precautions are understandable in light of the recent events and the political climate, for some lawmakers it is a disappointing development.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is now considering “routinely” alerting local police to large events in the future. He has already held eight small town hall meetings with minimal police presence and is planning more events over the August recess.
“It’s sort of a shame to have to do that,” Beyer said of the stepped-up security precautions. “At least in the short-run when you’re afraid of copycats.”
Unless word comes down from the House leadership instructing members to contact Capitol Police, the congressman said he will continue relying on city and county law enforcement. “They’re very good. They also know who the troublemakers are.”
A week before the shooting, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) was preparing a public forum in his district when his office received a threatening early morning call. The individual called back saying that if he showed up to the event he would end up in jail.
“We had to reach out to Capitol Police and have local security forces come to the event,” Velas explained, but they managed the situation.
Even as some members have expressed concerns about the protests and possible violence at constituent events, Velas said the tragic shooting of Rep. Scalise and three others hasn’t changed what he does in his district.
“I’m not changing my approach with respect to what I do back home at all. This is a job we all signed up for,” he said.
Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) introduced legislation last week to address member security. The bill would allow members of Congress to carry a gun anywhere they go, except the U.S. Capitol. The law would override any city or state firearm restrictions.
Hice explained that members of Congress “have a bull’s eye on our backs” and need the ability to provide for their own safety “regardless of the city or state.”
During the February recess, a number of Republicans faced unruly protesters at their town hall meetings and raised concerns about security with the leadership. To avoid confrontations with protesters and to guarantee safety, some Republicans have held telephone town halls or avoided large constituent meetings altogether.
