Lawmakers in the U.S. are grappling with the question of whether to allocate more tax dollars for their own protection in the wake of rising political violence. With a recent surge in threats targeting state and federal lawmakers, particularly following the weekend shootings of state lawmakers in Minnesota, the debate over security funding has intensified. The House Legislative Branch appropriations bill, which funds Capitol Hill operations, is set to be marked up next week, with both Democrats and some Republicans pushing for increased funding for Capitol Police and personal security for lawmakers.
While the Capitol Police’s budget request for fiscal 2026 is $967.8 million — a 22 percent increase over current levels — some lawmakers remain hesitant to fully utilize existing security resources. Many rank-and-file members have little day-to-day protection unless they’ve been deemed to be under an active threat. Some members, including Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), are calling for more widespread coverage. However, others are wary of additional safety measures that could restrict their freedom of movement and interactions with the public while also infringing on family life. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that funds Capitol Police, has expressed reluctance, stating,