House Passes Dedicated Security Supplemental Funding

The House Committee on Appropriations introduced a $1.9 billion proposal to increase security measures at the Capitol and cover overtime and hazard pay for officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. The bill was approved in the House with a 213-212 vote and will now move to the Senate.

According to the provisions of the bill, a portion of the funds-- $669 million or 80 percent of legislative branch funds-- would go to the Architect of the Capitol. U.S. Capitol Police would get $63 million.

Of the funds going to the Architect of the Capitol, $250 million would be for future Capitol grounds security, $162 million would be for door and window hardening, $100 million would be for security vestibules, $100 million for COVID expenses, and $40 million for backfilled costs. 

For Capitol Police, $31 million would be provided for salaries, $9 million would be for body cameras, $3 million would be for intelligence and $3 million would be for riot equipment.

National Guard deployment and operations costs would receive $520 million in funding while $200 million would be used to establish a National Guard quick reaction force.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said of the bill, “This emergency supplemental appropriation addresses the direct costs of the insurrection and strengthens Capitol security for the future. It is also long overdue recognition of the work of the Capitol Police, the sacrifices that they and their families have made, and the changes they need.”

Demand Progress issued a memo on February 11, 2021 in which they made several recommendations on what to include in the supplemental. They explained, “we believe the failures with respect to the Capitol Police are more closely tied to how the force is organized, managed, led, and overseen.”

There are concerns from both lawmakers and stakeholders that simply increasing funding for Capitol Police will not solve the problems within the law enforcement department. Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) said the insurrection occurred due to “a lack of coordination, preparation, and sharing of intelligence.”