.TheDemocrats voice safety concerns ahead of POTUS Biden's State of the Union address
In a letter sent to congressional leadership on Wednesday, a group of House Democrats expressed “urgent concern” for the safety of Biden and other guests who are expected to attend the president’s address, accusing the GOP of making the chamber susceptible to “infiltration and violence.” The warnings come after Republicans voted to remove the metal detectors located around the House chamber as one of the first acts of their new House majority.
The letter, which was signed by 14 House Democrats, listed a number of instances that might foreshadow acts of violence at the State of Union, including the Jan. 6 riot and an incident in which Rep. Andy Harris attempted to bring a concealed gun onto the House floor in January 2021. Lawmakers also pointed to a more recent incident when newly elected Rep. Cory Mills handed out inert grenades to fellow lawmakers last week as a welcome gift.
“Considering the ability of Members of Congress to carry firearms in the capitol complex outside the House Floor, removal of magnetometers from the entrances to the House Floor, and with record threats against the lives of Members of Congress, the security of the House complex is today precarious,” they wrote.
The lawmakers requested Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to brief lawmakers on what security measures will be taken ahead of the State of the Union address.“Any attack on this gathering would threaten our democracy and undermine the functionality of the entire federal government,” the letter states.
The letter was signed by Reps. Jared Huffman , Nikema Williams , Shontel Brown , Mark Takano , Paul Tonko , Jahana Hayes , J. Luis Correa , James McGovern , Yvette Clarke , Andre Carson , Bennie Thompson , Mary Gay Scanlon , Raul Grijalva , and Robert Scott .
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