Title: Authorizing and directing Committee on House Administration to report recommendations to the House to enhance House Chamber security, and for other purposes.
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
This resolution authorizes and directs the Committee on House Administration to report recommendations to the House that would enhance chamber security, eliminate lines for entry, allow efficient chamber access, and ensure the ability to maintain social distancing.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 84 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 84

 Authorizing and directing Committee on House Administration to report 
recommendations to the House to enhance House Chamber security, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 2, 2021

Mr. Cole submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                           Committee on Rules

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Authorizing and directing Committee on House Administration to report 
recommendations to the House to enhance House Chamber security, and for 
                            other purposes.

Whereas it is incumbent upon the Speaker to provide for the physical security of 
        the House, its Members, and its employees;
Whereas, on January 12, 2021, the Speaker directed the Acting Sergeant-at-Arms 
        of the House of Representatives to require all persons entering the 
        House Chamber to undergo enhanced security screening;
Whereas in the midst of a pandemic, the implementation of enhanced security 
        screenings creates an unsafe situation where Members and staff are 
        unable to adequately follow Office of the Attending Physician social 
        distancing guidelines;
Whereas the current locations of the magnetometers surrounding the House Chamber 
        have caused significant delays for Members and staff attempting to 
        access the House floor;
Whereas the implementation of enhanced security screenings directly outside the 
        House Chamber could impede Members of Congress from undertaking their 
        constitutional duty to vote;
Whereas the implementation of enhanced screenings diverts key United States 
        Capitol Police resources from security concerns in the broader Capitol 
        complex;
Whereas the Committee on House Administration is charged with oversight of the 
        day-to-day operations of the House of Representatives; and
Whereas alternatives to these locations exist which would maintain the same 
        level of Chamber security but significantly reduce the delay of Members 
        seeking access to the House Chamber: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That, no later than February 28, 2021, the Committee on 
House Administration is authorized and directed to report 
recommendations to the House that would--
            (1) enhance House Chamber security;
            (2) allow members efficient access to the House Chamber;
            (3) eliminate lines for entry into the House Chamber;
            (4) ensure the ability to maintain appropriate social 
        distancing guidelines; and
            (5) any other recommendations for changes to House 
        operations they deem fit.
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