DeLauro Introduces Emergency Security Supplemental

House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today introduced the Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act.

The bill addresses the insurrection with $1.9 billion in funding to respond to the tragic events of that day. Informed by the recommendations of the Task Force 1-6 Capitol Security Review led by Lieutenant General (Retired) Russel L. Honoré and comprised of senior retired military leaders and law enforcement experts, it will secure the safety of the Capitol, protect facilities, Members, employees, and visitors going forward, and provide for safe and healthy Congressional operations. 

“The January 6 insurrection caused tragic loss of life and many injuries, while leaving behind widespread physical damage to the Capitol Complex and emotional trauma for Members, Congressional employees, and the Capitol Police. 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,” DeLauro said. “This narrowly-tailored bill is the product of a careful examination of the Capitol Security Review and information gathered by the Appropriations Committee through briefings, hearings, and discussions with Members and other experts. The needs are urgent, so it is imperative we swiftly pass this legislation to protect the Capitol and those who work and visit here.”

Among its many provisions, the legislation:

Responds to January 6. The legislation responds to the direct costs incurred by the violent attack on the Capitol, including by:

• Reimbursing the National Guard and the District of Columbia, and other federal agencies for their response and subsequent presence at the Capitol.
• Supporting the Capitol Police with overtime pay, retention bonuses, equipment replacement, and wellness and trauma support.
• Prosecuting the hundreds of perpetrators who attacked law enforcement and defiled our temple of democracy.

Protects Facilities, Members, Employees, and Visitors. Informed by the Capitol Security Review, the legislation strengthens security, including by:

• Improving security by hardening windows and doors, constructing security screening vestibules, and installing new cameras.
• Creating a dedicated Quick Reaction Force to augment the Capitol Police in cases of emergency.
• Bolstering security for Members of Congress, as well as for federal judges – many of whom are presiding over trials of January 6 insurrectionists.
• Providing specialized training, riot control equipment and body cameras for the Capitol Police.

Provides for Safe and Healthy Congressional Operations. The legislation provides funding for reimbursements and the response to ensure safe and healthy Congressional operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for Legislative Branch COVID-19 needs was not included in recent legislation.

The emergency security supplemental contains funding in the jurisdiction of six Appropriations Subcommittees: Legislative Branch; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Defense; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

“None of us can, or should, forget the events of January 6th and the attempted ransacking of representative democracy.  It cannot be conveniently overlooked for political purposes.  Institutional and cultural reforms are needed to maintain as safe and open a campus as possible,” Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman Tim Ryan (D-OH) said. “I am proud to join in introducing this legislation that will ensure the Capitol campus will be safe for Members of Congress to carry out their constitutional duties and for Americans from across the country to be able to continue to witness representative democracy in action and peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights.  This is long overdue and we have to act now.”

“We need to equip the Justice Department with the resources to respond to the January 6 insurrection to send the message that attacks on our democracy will not go unanswered,” Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chairman Matt Cartwright (D-PA) said. “The funding provided to the Justice Department in this bill will pay for unanticipated expenses related to the insurrection, support the prosecution of all the perpetrators and provide enhanced protection for those who are doing the work of safeguarding our democracy. This is how we help deter events like the insurrection from ever happening again.”

“Our citizen soldiers stepped up to protect Members of Congress and our staff following the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol,” Defense Subcommittee Chair Betty McCollum (D-MN) said. “It is the responsibility of Congress to pay for the costs incurred by the National Guard.  We also need to be prepared should another attack on our democracy occur and not expect the Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to do it alone.”

“The January 6 attack and the investigations in the months since have revealed the importance of providing strong funding to protect our democratic institutions. We must reimburse the District of Columbia for shouldering a disproportionate amount of the financial burden for the attack, ensure that our federal courts are thoroughly protected, and conduct a thorough assessment of the security of all our federal buildings,” Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman Mike Quigley (D-IL) said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation so we can make sure that nothing like the Capitol attack happens again.”

“While the direct role of the Department of Homeland Security on January 6th was limited to the protection of Vice President Pence and Vice President-elect Harris, the Secret Service, like almost every other Federal agency, was insufficiently aware of open source information that made clear the severity of the security threat on that day,” Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) said. “Through discussions with the Secret Service, we have identified additional funding requirements related to the protection of the White House complex and open source intelligence collection and analysis that would significantly improve the Secret Service’s security posture.”

“In the face of an unprecedented and deadly domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol, the National Park Service stepped up. As House Interior Appropriations Chair, I am requesting funds to backfill the agency’s resources that were unexpectedly depleted during the January 6 attack and prepare the Park Service for possible future threats,” Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chairwoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) said. “It is imperative that we equip the agency to address security challenges associated with large-scale events and demonstrations that occur around the National Mall and Capitol Complex.”

The Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, H.R. 3237, is expected to be considered in the House next week. A detailed summary of the legislation is here. The text of H.R. 3237 is here.