Congressional leadership emerged from a bipartisan meeting Thursday with promises to do more to protect members’ safety following a spate of recent political violence.
“We had a very productive meeting and recognize the urgency of acting quickly, decisively and in a bipartisan manner to ensure the safety and security of all Members and their families,” a statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries read.
“As an immediate follow up, Chairman Bryan Steil and Ranking Member Joe Morelle of the Committee on House Administration will convene with the leadership of the relevant committees of jurisdiction to aggressively chart the path forward and implement change,” it said.
The announcement follows the shootings of a pair of lawmakers and their spouses in Minnesota earlier this month. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home, while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times in their home and survived the attack. Vance Boelter of Minnesota was later charged for stalking and murdering the Hortmans and stalking and shooting the Hoffmans, according to the Department of Justice.
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The grisly attacks prompted some Democrats to ramp up their own security and weigh whether they should make public appearances.
Talk of the killings and need for security dominated the conversation at a House Appropriations Committee markup Thursday for the 2026 legislative branch bill, with both Republicans and Democrats expressing concern, and Democrats urging additional funds for security measures.
“We recognize the tragic events that recently took place in Minnesota, and I’m deeply concerned and saddened by the increase in political violence in this nation. As appropriators, we have the responsibility to provide for the safety and security of members of Congress and the United States Capitol Complex,” Republican Rep. David Valadao said in his opening remarks, adding that discussion about additional security measures is ongoing.
Rep. Tom Cole, the chair of the committee, echoed Valadao.
“We uphold the safety of the Capitol Complex for visitors, staff and members,” Cole, a Republican, said. “Whether in D.C. or during in-district proceedings, the protection of constituents and lawmakers is a priority. I know it’s an issue that will continue to be of focus as we move through this process.”
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the committee’s ranking member, said the issue of security for members was “looming” over the bill, but recognized that the funding decisions under scrutiny happened before the Minnesota attacks took place.
“While there are funds included in the bill to reimburse local law enforcement, we must do far more. We cannot sit silently by and wait for the next attack,” DeLauro said.
“The majority must pledge to increase resources in the bill for security improvements,” she added. “The minority and majority need to come together on this issue.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar, an appropriator and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, also urged both parties to work together to boost security.
“It’s absolutely essential that we do the work together on a bipartisan basis,” he said. “It is incumbent upon us as a committee to pass a bill that ensures members of congress are safe and can do their jobs without the fear of political violence.”
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Em Luetkemeyer is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.
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