Senators call for security funding uptick as Minnesota shootings spook Capitol Hill
Senators on Tuesday pleaded with top Capitol Police officials for an uptick in member security funding in the wake of the fatal shooting of a Minnesota state legislator.
The killing of Melissa Hortman, a Democratic former Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband over the weekend sent a chill down the spine of lawmakers who were already concerned about the heightened political rhetoric and increasing number of threats against officials.
That prompted the Capitol Police and the Senate sergeant at arms to hold a briefing for members, during which multiple lawmakers made the case for more security funding.
'We need a more systematic approach to dealing with the security threats. The security threats are clearly going up and I think we need an overall plan and we need better security,' said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who attended the briefing.
'It's both funding and coordination, and general situational awareness,' he continued. 'If threats are coming in against members, it might help to ensure everybody's aware of it because everyone else may be experiencing something similar and we'd be able to be on the lookout.'
The briefing came at the request of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) days after an assailant, later identified by police as Vance Boelter, 57, killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman (D-Minn.) and his wife, Yvette.
According to Schumer, members on both sides of the aisle — Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and David McCormick (R-Pa.) — called for spending to be increased to boost the security of senators.
'The Capitol police and the [Senate] Sergeant at Arms gave a very detailed discussion about how they can protect members here, back in our states, in our homes, in our offices. The violences, the threats against elected officials, including people in the Senate, has dramatically increased,' the Democratic leader said.
'That means we need more protection. We need more money,' he said. 'The rhetoric that's encouraging violence is coming from too many powerful in this country. We need firm, strong denouncement of all violence and violent rhetoric. That should be from the president and all of the elected officials.'
Members were largely hesitant to discuss in-depth the issues that emerged from the meeting, especially as it concerns their own security. It's not unusual for members to shy away from delving into those details.
But what lawmakers have made clear is that they are increasingly worried about these threats. According to Capitol Police, 9,474 threats made against lawmakers, their families and staff were investigated in 2024 — an increase from just over 8,000 the year prior and setting a new bar in the process.
But whether the price tag will go up remains a question. Capitol Police has requested roughly $1 billion in funding for Fiscal year 2026.
Thomas Manger, who recently departed his post atop the department, warned senators last month that there is a pressing need for more funds due to the 'increased threat climate,' even as the Trump administration tries to take a hatchet to funding across the government.
Senators agree that this is not the right time to slice that funding.
'The prevailing feeling is we need to do more in terms of resources and encouragement of the Capitol Police. The expectation that we could adequately protect 535 people in 535 locations is daunting but certainly not impossible,' Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said.
'We're living in a moment where we probably have to do more — whatever that might be,' Cramer added, noting that he has asked for more patrols from the local sheriff's office in his home state.
Authorities say that Boelter also had compiled a 'kill list' of 45 Democratic political officials, which featured a number of other Minnesota lawmakers. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and a group of House members were also among those listed
The shooting in Minnesota also came less than a year after the first of two assassination attempts against President Trump, which also brought security under the microscope for politicians. It is also reminiscent of other attempts on lawmakers' lives, including the near-fatal shootings of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) in 2011 and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) in 2017.
Some senators said they have gone beyond what was offered through official congressional channels to secure their homes.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) on Monday laid out the vast security upgrades he has made at his ranch in Oklahoma given the rising threats, saying that he has raised security concerns over the years with Capitol Police and the sergeant at arms.
Among other things, Mullin said that he has bulletproof glass on the bottom part of his house, shatterproof glass at the top, cameras across the property and 'heavily trained' security dogs ready to deploy if need be. He admitted that this is a 'huge undertaking,' but pointed to a series of death threats as the reason.
'We don't just do that because we're overreacting. I'm not one to overreact on security stuff, but it's a threat,' he said, adding that agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have had to come to his house multiple times due to bomb threats.
He added that he has paid out of pocket for some of those additional security expenses.
Members are also able to tap into their campaign accounts to cover some security costs.
'It is unfortunately the reality that we live in and it's concerning,' he added. It should concern everybody.'
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