Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday that Congress needs to spend significantly more money on senators’ personal security in the wake of an attack that killed a Minnesota state lawmaker over the weekend.
Schumer said that threats against senators and other elected officials have increased dramatically in recent years and that Capitol police will put together a comprehensive menu of options to better protect lawmakers when they’re away from the Capitol.
“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,” he said.
“That means we need more protection. We need more money,” he said.
Schumer said that Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and David McCormick (R-Pa.) both proposed spending more money on senators’ security.
The Democratic leader also called on public officials and prominent commentators to stop using violent rhetoric.
“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,” he said.
Schumer said “there’s lots of things that need to be done.”
“Given the increase in threats, we need more protection for senators,” he added.
Asked how much Congress would need to spend to meet his security goals, Schumer said the Capitol Police and sergeant at arms will come up with a security plan and cost estimate.
“We need to do what it takes and they will come up with a dollar amount for us,” he said.
Vance Boelter, 57, the suspect arrested in the shooting two Democratic officials in Minnesota, had a hit list of 45 elected officials, according to state authorities.
He is accused of killing Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife.
