Lawmakers propose $7.5 million increase in Capitol Police funding after shooting

A House Appropriations subcommittee advanced a bill on Friday that would add an additional $7.5 million in funding to Capitol Police in response to a shooting last week in Alexandria, Va., that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and four others injured.

“We owe it to the Capitol Police to ensure they have enough resources to meet their mission in an increasingly polarized climate,” said Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.), the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

The additional $7.5 million is part of a $29.2 million overall increase from 2017 funding levels for the Capitol Police. The bill also added $5 million for the House Sergeant in Arms to upgrade security at congressional district offices and another possible $25,000 to $50,000 to address physical security when members are away from the Capitol.

{mosads}Congress is also awaiting a Federal Elections Commission decision on whether campaign funds can be used for security. 

The bill, which must still be approved by the full appropriations committee before going to the House for passage, received bipartisan support in the subcommittee.