Increasing Armed Layers Between Members Of Congress And Their Constituents Only Fuels Members To Engage In Increasingly Inappropriate Behavior Because They Will Feel Safe To Do So
Members Of The United States Congress Need Less Security, Not More Security
Increasing Armed Layers Between Members And Their Constituents Only Fuels Members To Engage In Increasingly Inappropriate Behavior Because They Will Feel Safe To Do So
Last week, the United States House of Representatives approved legislation providing US$58 million to be used to provide security to employees of the executive branch and the judicial branch of the United States government. The Trump-Vance Administration (2025-2029) had requested the expenditure.
Separately, there is a proposed US$30 million to be used to provide security to members of the United States House of Representatives and to members of the United States Senate; and for “mutual aid” which reimburses local law enforcement for costs incurred in protecting members of the United States Congress, their residences, and at public gatherings.
Security Details Out Of Control
Individuals serving in these leadership positions receive twenty-four-hour security details and vehicles (often two or more SUVs in a motorcade). In some instances, spouses have security details. The Speaker of the House of Representatives has access to United States government-owned aircraft.
There is no reason for all these positions to warrant taxpayer funded transportation. The security details become performative- messaging to the public that these are important people. In reality, they are a very expensive Uber.
There is nothing requiring the urgent transportation of individuals in “whip” positions when their job description is to count votes for their respective political party caucus. Do they really need security details with each costing approximately US$3 million annually to US$5 million annually?
Speaker of the House
House Majority Leader
House Minority Leader
House Majority Whip
House Minority Whip
Senate Majority Leader
Senate Minority Leader
Senate Majority Whip
Senate Minority Whip
Less Security For Politicians, Not More Security
The Trump-Vance Administration and members of the United States Congress (435 members in the House of Representatives and 100 members in the Senate) want United States taxpayers to fund not a solution to the security problem, but fund security so the problem may continue unabated.
Putting another way- keeping them safe from the environment they created, nurtured, maintain, and seek to expand as a vital component for their position.
Members of the United States House of Representatives have a taxpayer-funded US$5,000.00 per month security allowance. That appropriation expires on 30 September 2025 unless re-authorized for the next fiscal year.
In 2024, the United States Capitol Police investigated 9,474 “concerning statements and direct threats” to members of the United States Congress, representing an increase of 83% from 2023. There were 3,939 investigations in 2017.
Some believe political violence is a necessity to instill belief or need for others to believe a political position is relevant, has structure, can implement, and is worth the effort.
More security separates elected officials and appointed officials further from their constituents- taxpayers and voters, who will be hesitant to engage a politician if a heavily armed, tattooed, former military, burly bodyguard gives the taxpayer, the voter, a look of disdain.
So healthy for a democracy is when the governed fears those who govern and the governing fears those they govern.
Politicians will neither abandon mobile and desktop applications, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) nor ask their supporters and those whose support they seek to abandon mobile and desktop applications, including the use of AI. If “social media” helps them to victory, they will never denounce or renounce it.
Politicians and those seeking to advocate, defend, explain, and promote political, religious, and social views will not abandon use of the Internet and specifically applications including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, Truth Social, and X because the cost is low- requires a computer or mobile device, Internet access, and use of free applications.
Politicians say they are not the problem. But, here is the problem with that position. If they all maintain they are not the problem, they are not at fault, their words do not divide, and their actions do not have consequences towards those with whom they disagree… then who is the problem? Everyone.
The extremes of political thought do control the political debates because those in the center- to the left or to the right, are in the minority in terms of numbers and in terms of having messages that media believes will provide viewer ratings- which determine advertising revenue.
United States taxpayers should not be funding the provision of security to members of the United States Congress who may only believe they need security to protect their continuing bad behavior.
If they want to be magnets for threatening behavior, let them do it using their own money to protect them from themselves.
