‘They cannot stop me!’: GOP House members enraged over Democrats installing metal detectors
Well, that was sneaky and unconstitutional. House GOP members are furious over Democrats instituting a security policy that now requires all members to pass through metal detectors before they enter the chamber to vote on a resolution calling for President Trump’s removal for his alleged role in last week’s Capitol riot. They spoke out on it Tuesday night and a number of them flat out refused to go through the contraptions. Dems told them that if they didn’t like it, they should look for a different job.
It’s obvious at this point that the Democrats are intent on treating all Republicans as terrorists and are not hiding it in the least. Long lines formed outside the House chamber as members waited to pass through the detectors. Many complied. Several Republicans refused to undergo the procedure, while others complained to Capitol Police and House Democrats that the security measures were instituted without adequate notice or consultation. There was actually next to none.
House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-IL) got into it with Capitol Police as well as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD). Davis was furious after security barred access to a staircase near the speaker’s lobby that is typically open to members.
“Steny, this is bulls—,” Davis stated.
“Rodney, we’re all going through the magnetometers. All of us,” Hoyer said to placate him in response as Davis argued with the officer.
Davis rightly pointed out that the security measures were “taking resources completely away from where it needs to be,” adding that Democrats “did it without any consultation with the minority.” No one should be shocked by this. It’s meant to be an insult and to put Republicans on notice.
“You are creating a problem you do not understand the ramifications of,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) yelled at the police manning the detectors, shouting at them to “get back” and “don’t touch me.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), a conservative firebrand who heads the House Freedom Caucus, said the detectors were “crap” and “the stupidest thing.”
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) also refused to pass through the metal detectors. Texans have a spine it would seem.
“The metal detector policy for the House floor is unnecessary, unconstitutional, and endangers members,” Roy said in a statement on the incident. “I did not comply tonight. I will not comply in the future.” No kneeling or submission for this Texan.
I thank the National Guard servicemembers from Maryland & surrounding states for coming to the Capitol campus to join the Capitol Police in protecting Members of Congress, staff, the press, and all who work here on behalf of the American people. We are grateful for their service. pic.twitter.com/G0uhuY1riy
— Steny (Wear a Mask) Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) January 12, 2021
Timothy P. Blodgett, the House’s acting sergeant at arms, informed lawmakers about the added security measures on Tuesday afternoon. Aside from the installation of metal detectors, Blodgett warned in a memo that firearms were banned within the House chamber. Members may also be denied entry or removed from the chamber if they fail to wear a mask on the House floor.
House Democrats are pursuing a resolution that would impose fines on members who fail to follow the mask mandate, a senior House Democratic stated.
If approved, members would face a $500 fine for a first offense and a $2,500 fine for a second one — both of which would be deducted from their pay. A similar fine system is being considered for the entire House side of the Capitol and House office buildings.
House GOP furious at new mags outside the chamber. Reps. Markwayne Mullin and Steve Womack erupted at Capitol Police as they were forced to go through the mags. Womack shouted “I was physically restrained!” And Mullin said “it’s my constitutional right” and “they cannot stop me
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 13, 2021
Davis described the measures as “political correctness run amok.”
“The threat is outside, not inside. Every resource used inside is one that can’t be used outside,” he said in a statement.
Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) angrily condemned the idea that Capitol police should be able to sweep to ensure no weapons were being brought onto the House floor. She said it amounted to “being wanded like criminals.” Lesko then said the upgraded security response was tantamount to living in “[Nancy] Pelosi’s communist America.”
For members of Congress to enter the floor of the U.S. House, we now have to go through intense security measures, on top of the security we already go through. These new provisions include searches and being wanded like criminals. We now live in Pelosi’s communist America!
— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) January 13, 2021
A number of Republicans decried the heavy-handed move as unconstitutional.
Louie Gohmert walked around the magnetometer. “You can’t stop me; I’m on my way to a vote,” he said as he passed the Capitol Police.
Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 Republican, told me that the situation is “untenable” because it “impedes the ability of members to come and vote. This is our job.” These are the lines pic.twitter.com/Z6WP9ZXmC0
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 13, 2021
I am legally permitted to carry my firearm in Washington, D.C. and within the Capitol complex.
Metal detectors outside of the House would not have stopped the violence we saw last week — it’s just another political stunt by Speaker Pelosi.
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) January 13, 2021
The riot on Capitol Hill is being used as an excuse for these draconian measures. And this is just the beginning. As Schumer said, “buckle up!”
House members voted late Tuesday night on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. In a letter to Pelosi, Pence said that he does not intend to move forward with the resolution even if it passes which it did.
Top Democrats said they would begin impeachment proceedings if Pence refused. Several Republicans have signaled they would support Trump’s impeachment prior to the end of his term on Jan. 20. Liz Cheney is one of them and it’s being reported that Mitch McConnell is considering it. Lines are being drawn and sides are being taken. It looks like the Republican Party is fractured… permanently.
