'People are scared': Congress grapples with increasing political violence

"House Republicans are proposing increasing security funding by $30 million in the wake of growing concerns about political violence in the country. The funding is included in a stopgap bill to fund the government that Republican leaders hope to approve this week ahead of a Sept. 29 deadline. It is unclear if the legislation has enough votes to pass. House Administration Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., briefed House Republicans about existing safety resources for members during a closed-door weekly conference meeting Tuesday morning."

"The $30 million is in addition to $58 million in security funding for people in the judicial and executive branches recently requested by the White House. The congressional allotment would be added to a longstanding mutual aid program, which allows for the reimbursement of local law enforcement that help secure lawmakers, particularly when in their home districts. The funding would last until the Nov. 21 end date of the proposed stopgap bill."

"Concerns about rising political violence have been brewing for some time. In the last 14 months alone, there were targeted attacks of state lawmakers and their spouses in Minnesota, two assassination attempts of President Trump, and arson at the residence of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. The recent assassination of Kirk, who was a counselor and friend to many Republicans on Capitol Hill, has hit Congress hard."

House Republicans propose adding $30 million in security funding through a stopgap bill that would extend until Nov. 21 and faces a Sept. 29 approval deadline. The appropriation supplements a $58 million White House request for judicial and executive branch security and would augment a longstanding mutual aid program that reimburses local law enforcement for protecting lawmakers, especially in home districts. House Administration Chair Bryan Steil briefed members on existing safety resources, noting increased use of security programs over the past year. Safety concerns have intensified following the murder of Charlie Kirk and recent targeted attacks, assassination attempts, and arson.

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