The majority of Democrats oppose the legislation which would provide funding to U.S Capitol Police.
What We Know:
- The House just barely passed the $1.9 billion emergency spending legislation. The bill intends to boost security for the U.S Capitol and other government agencies that responded to the January 6th insurrection. Additionally, it is an effort to improve the response to future incidents that could happen. The bill allocates $18 million to provide body cameras to U.S Capitol Police Officers who interact with the general public.
- The bill will also buy riot control equipment and strengthen intelligence and training. The legislation passed the House, 213-212. Three Democrats opposed the bill, while another three voted “present.” All six Democrats belong to the “squad,” which is a group of the most liberal lawmakers in the House.
- Critics of the bill mostly oppose the portion providing more funds to the police. This action runs contrary to the idea that the left calls for, which is to “defund the police.” It should be noted that no Republicans supported the bill. Democrats that voted “present” agree with some parts of the bill but don’t agree with other parts.
- The architect of the Capitol would receive about $529 million to install new cameras around the Capitol. The money would also extend itself to installing surrounding office buildings with cameras and upgrading accessible windows and doors to the buildings. The House sergeant-at-arms would receive about $21 million to enhance security and threat assessments for members of Congress. The bill also intends to reimburse various agencies and government officers for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill arrives one day after the House passed legislation that would establish a bipartisan, independent 9/11-style commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection.
