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

Bill: 117-hres-84
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Introduced: 2021-02-02
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Congressional operations and organization

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Government buildings, facilities, and property

House of Representatives

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Members of Congress

Protection of officials

U.S. Capitol
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-02
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: IV 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 84 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

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.