Lawmakers get safety briefing after Minnesota shootings
Share and Follow


() A new House proposal would provide additional security to lawmakers when they return to their home districts on recess or during weekends.

The measure comes as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar joins the growing number of lawmakers advocating for more protection as threats of political violence start to surge.

“I personally think we need one: More security for members, I’ve been a longtime advocate for this and have worked with the police in the Capitol,” Klobuchar said at the Hill Nation Summit. “But we have to do more in the local areas.”

The shootings of the two Democratic Minnesota state lawmakers are still fresh on many lawmakers’ minds. Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband died as a result of the shooting, and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were seriously injured.

House lawmakers believe that at this moment, given the threat level, something more is needed to keep them safe in their home districts and during events there.

The plan would increase what could be considered as Congress’s individual allowance. Each member gets a certain amount of discretionary money that they can use however they wish. That funding would increase to $20,000 per year just for security, and $10,000 of it can be used for physical security improvements in their homes, according to the U.S. Committee on House Administration.

It would also call for greater collaboration with local law enforcement.

The U.S. Capitol Police said the threat level against politicians has increased in the last couple of years. In 2017, there were nearly 4,000 credible threats and in 2024, that number rose to 9,474. Authorities said the credible threat level could likely reach 10,000 this year.

“I think the rules already allow for any type of hardening for security to happen,” Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said. “I think members just need to use discretion. $20,000 frankly sounds a little ritz to me, but there are people getting active threats, and there are two people serving prison sentences for death threats against me, and I promise I’ll prosecute anybody who threatens my safety and my family’s safety.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
NC plane crash: Passenger texted family member ahead of crash that killed Greg Biffle and family, NTSB says

NTSB Report: Passenger Sent Final Message to Family Before Fatal North Carolina Plane Crash Involving Greg Biffle and Family

The tragic plane crash in North Carolina continues to raise unresolved questions…
Palm Coast man sentenced to 30 years for felony child sex charges, police say

Palm Coast Man Receives 30-Year Sentence for Felony Child Sex Offenses: A Case Overview

In Bunnell, Florida, a man named Gregory Smith has been handed a…
Dozens of missing children, as young as 1, saved from sex traffickers

Authorities Rescue Several Dozens of Missing Children, Including Toddlers, from Human Trafficking Operations

In a sweeping operation against sex trafficking, authorities in North Florida have…
Several elephants killed in train crash after impact causes multiple coaches to derail

Tragic Train Collision Claims Lives of Elephants, Causes Major Derailment

In a tragic incident early Saturday, a high-speed passenger train in northeastern…
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider dies at 59

Heartfelt Tribute: George Clooney Honors Late Sister Ada Zeidler

Adelia “Ada” Zeidler, described in her online obituary as having passed away…
The spirit of my grandmother visited over Christmas

Unforgettable Christmas: A Heartfelt Encounter with My Grandmother’s Spirit

Throughout my life, I hadn’t been one to search for messages from…
$775 million Powerball: Winning numbers for Wednesday, Dec. 3

Find Out If Saturday’s $1.5 Billion Powerball Jackpot Has a Winner

WASHINGTON — The Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed to an impressive $1.5 billion,…
MORE Epstein files are out as details emerge from grand jury records

Unveiled: Shocking Revelations from Newly Released Epstein Grand Jury Files

Disturbing new revelations have surfaced concerning Jeffrey Epstein’s exploitation of young girls,…