WASHINGTON (CN) — The House of Representatives on Thursday voted 213-212 to approve $1.9 billion in emergency funding for U.S. Capitol security, almost five months after rioters stormed the building, erected gallows on its lawn and engaged in deadly clashes with police.
HR 3237, or the Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, was first introduced by Connecticut Democrat Representative Rosa DeLauro.
“I sat in the gallery. I sat right up there,” DeLauro said from the floor of the House Wednesday, gesturing to a balcony in the chamber’s rafters. “I was here when the Capitol policemen said the rioters have reached the Capitol, they have reached the rotunda and they were on the way to the chamber. Those doors were smashed and there were barricades up against them. We were told to grab a gas mask and did that. Not sooner than that, we were told, we have to evacuate you.”
Among its many provisions, the legislation proposes enhancements to U.S. Capitol grounds security to the tune of $250 million. Another $200 million is devoted to standing up a “quick reaction force” within the U.S. Capitol Police with National Guard assistance, while $162 million is allotted for physical security upgrades to the complex itself.
Many Republicans balked at the price tag, arguing the assessment for enhancements to Capitol security was rushed and that Democrats were effectively putting the cart before the horse by passing a funding bill to pay for reforms before reforms are specified.
That logic did not hold water for most Democrats, who in the last four months have held over a dozen congressional hearings considering recommendations and assessments on how to improve security on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have also received analyses from the U.S. Capitol Police inspector general monthly.
Three Democrats voted against the bill, including U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Cori Bush of Missouri. The progressive lawmakers were against the bill because of concerns they have with the integrity of the U.S. Capitol Police force and lingering questions over some officers' alleged involvement in facilitating the insurrection.
Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Representatives Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York voted present. Bowman told reporters he opposed additional funding for the police but wanted to ensure with his present vote that the Capitol staff left to clean up the mess after the siege would be paid. Ocasio-Cortez did not immediately return request for comment. The only lawmakers who did not vote Wednesday were Republican Representatives John Carter of Texas and Daniel Webster of Florida.
Advocating for the bill's passage, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was quick to remind opponents that it was Lieutenant General Russel Honore and a "blue ribbon commission" of law enforcement, intelligence and security experts from all political stripes who led the Task Force 1-6 that reviewed the attack and the litany of security failures that unfolded.
Republicans attempted to push the bill back to the House Appropriations Committee for further amending, but the attempt failed before final passage was eked out in the House. The bill now goes to the Senate, but it is not expected to get very far in the evenly divided upper chamber.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Tuesday he would not vote for a “slanted and unbalanced” commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Wednesday he would put a vote for the commission on the schedule nonetheless. Even if it cannot overcome a filibuster, holding the vote would put GOP lawmakers on the record.
