House Republicans Discuss Increasing Security Funding for Lawmakers After Conservative Activist's Assassination

House Republicans are discussing attaching a proposal to increase security funding to $30 million to a stopgap government bill to fund the government, on top of the $58 million in security funding for the executive and judicial branches requested by the White House. However, some lawmakers say that is not enough in today's rancorous political climate, and that more needs to be done to protect lawmakers from the growing threats of violence.

Key Takeaways:

• House Republicans are considering increasing security funding to $30 million for lawmakers, in addition to the $58 million in security funding for the executive and judicial branches requested by the White House.
• The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has brought the issue of public officials' security to the forefront, with threats of violence against politicians at an all-time high.
• Congressional lawmakers are grappling with the difficulty of ensuring member safety with limited resources in an increasingly toxic political environment.
• Members would be able to decide how to use the funds to protect themselves, and it would last through the period of time funded by the short-term government funding bill.
• A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including GOP Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Mike Lawler and Democratic Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Joyce Beatty, object to the $30 million proposal, saying it falls short of addressing the threat level lawmakers face.
• The collective belief among lawmakers is that it will take someone getting shot and killed before House leadership takes the issue seriously.
• GOP Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee questioned the jurisdictional garbage surrounding the proposal, including when certain monies could be used, particularly when members switch between campaign events and appearances in their official capacity.
• The House increased security funding and resources for lawmakers in July, but that program is set to expire at the end of the month.
• Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil said the funding would be used to reimburse local law enforcement who provide security when members are back in their districts.

Statistics:

• $30 million: proposed increase in security funding for lawmakers
• $58 million: security funding for the executive and judicial branches requested by the White House
• 60 Democrats and 20 Republicans: number of lawmakers who took advantage of the increased security funding and resources in July
• 1 month: time frame for the security program set to expire
• 2017: year that congressional baseball shooting occurred, which severely injured House Majority Leader Steve Scalise

Sources:

• CNN, "House Republicans discuss pumping tens of millions into security for lawmakers" by Annie Grayer
• House Republican leadership and various lawmakers, as reported by CNN