House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday ordered Capitol Police to move the newly installed magnetometers closer to the entrances of the House floor to make it impossible for members to walk around the metal detectors into the chamber.
End tables were placed on the sides of the magnetometers, blocking entry to the floor and forcing members to only walk in through the detectors at the other entrances to the chamber
Pelosi’s demand came after Republican House lawmakers became incensed over the new detectors members are required to walk through, part of new security measures since the attack on the Capitol Jan. 6 by a mob of violent protesters.
“The metal detector policy for the House floor is unnecessary, unconstitutional, and endangers members. I did not comply tonight. I will not comply in the future,” Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy tweeted Tuesday night.
A number of Republican lawmakers vented anger at the new security requirement as they walked through the metal detectors located at each entrance of the chamber. Others simply walked around them.
“Article 1, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution contains specific language prohibiting Members of Congress from being impeded on the way to a session of the House or to a vote. This is harassment. We need protection from the Speaker, not each other,” Texas GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert said in a statement after he reportedly told police he could not be stopped from walking around the scanners, and did so.
“She’s trying to say Republican members of Congress can’t be trusted. It’s a nasty, partisan message and would violate the Constitution if they actually tried to stop us,” Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie told the Washington Examiner.
Immediately prior to Pelosi’s order to the Capitol Police, the Washington Examiner witnessed Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz walk around the detectors.
