House Republicans Propose $30 Million Boost for Lawmaker Security in Stopgap Funding Bill

House Republicans are considering a plan to add $30 million for lawmaker security to a short-term government funding bill, as concerns over political violence grow following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The proposal, discussed in a closed-door GOP meeting Tuesday, would give lawmakers temporary funds to hire additional security personnel and reimburse local law enforcement when members are in their districts. It comes on top of $58 million in security funding already requested by the White House for the executive and judicial branches.

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole told CNN the additional support would allow lawmakers to tailor security to their needs. “If we have to do more, we do more,” Cole said.

The timing is urgent: the current member security program — used by about 60 Democrats and 20 Republicans — is set to expire at the end of September when government funding lapses. That program was put in place after state lawmakers in Minnesota were fatally targeted earlier this summer.

Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil explained that the new proposal would allow for expanded reimbursements to local law enforcement. “There is an opportunity, I think, to plus up the total funding on member security,” he said.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are weighing security concerns as threats against public officials reach record highs. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was seriously wounded in the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, said members recognize more needs to be done. “All three branches are trying to address it in similar fashion. Hopefully we get all of this worked out this week,” Scalise said.

Still, questions remain. GOP Rep. Cliff Bentz of Oregon told CNN he supports the concept but wants clarity. “I don’t know what it’s going to be spent on. I don’t know how it’s going to be allocated. I don’t know when it’s going to show up. I don’t know what the limitations on its use are,” Bentz said.

The funding debate adds a new wrinkle to ongoing negotiations as Democrats weigh whether to support the GOP’s proposal without broader commitments on health care coverage and other issues.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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