House Democrats are voicing concerns ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, pointing to GOP efforts to scale back several security measures put in place after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
In a letter sent to congressional leadership on Wednesday, a group of House Democrats expressed “urgent concern” for the safety of Biden and other guests who are expected to attend the president’s address, accusing the GOP of making the chamber susceptible to “infiltration and violence.” The warnings come after Republicans voted to remove the metal detectors located around the House chamber as one of the first acts of their new House majority.
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“We write with urgent concern for the safety and security of the President, other dignitaries, and guests at the upcoming State of the Union Address,” the lawmakers wrote. “The GOP House Majority’s new rules have made the safety and security of the House Chamber, the very seat of American Democracy, at risk to infiltration and violence with reckless changes to necessary preventative measures.”
The letter, which was signed by 14 House Democrats, listed a number of instances that might foreshadow acts of violence at the State of Union, including the Jan. 6 riot and an incident in which Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) attempted to bring a concealed gun onto the House floor in January 2021. Lawmakers also pointed to a more recent incident when newly elected Rep. Cory Mills handed out inert grenades to fellow lawmakers last week as a welcome gift.
“Considering the ability of Members of Congress to carry firearms in the capitol complex outside the House Floor, removal of magnetometers from the entrances to the House Floor, and with record threats against the lives of Members of Congress, the security of the House complex is today precarious,” they wrote.
The lawmakers requested Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to brief lawmakers on what security measures will be taken ahead of the State of the Union address.
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“Any attack on this gathering would threaten our democracy and undermine the functionality of the entire federal government,” the letter states. “We are amenable to receiving a closed-door briefing on the security plan such that the contents discussed are not available to those who would wish to do State of the Union attendees harm.”
The letter was signed by Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Mark Takano (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Andre Carson (D-IN), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Robert Scott (D-VA).
