Klobuchar Statement on Congressional Passage of Funding for Capitol Security

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, issued the statement below on the passage of emergency security supplemental appropriations legislation in both the House and the Senate to respond to the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol:

'Brave Capitol Police officers risked their lives on January 6, and we owe it to them to ensure they have the resources needed to fulfill their mission of protecting those who work in and visit the Capitol. As Chair of the Rules Committee, I worked with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to investigate the security breakdowns of that day and determine what actions we must take to ensure it never happens again. This legislation will help implement many of our recommendations, including ensuring the Capitol Police have sufficient personnel with appropriate training and equipment. Importantly, this measure also includes money for mental health support, something I have called for. In the aftermath of that dark day, this legislation is an important step as we continue working to move our democracy forward.'

Klobuchar has repeatedly called for additional resources to support the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP). In June, she and Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Ranking Member of the Rules Committee, and Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a bipartisan report on the security, planning, and response failures related to the attack on January 6. In their report, the senators issued several recommendations related to USCP, including ensuring USCP has sufficient civilian and sworn personnel, with appropriate training and equipment, in the roles necessary to fulfill its mission.

Also in June, Klobuchar sent a letter to Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mike Braun (R-IN), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, urging them to include sufficient funding for mental health and trauma services for USCP officers in this emergency security supplemental appropriations legislation.

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