WASHINGTON — Following the skyrocketing numbers of threats against America's elected leaders and the break-in and attack which wounded the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger is requesting millions of dollars for security and staffing to better protect members of Congress, their families and their staffs.
Manger addressed the Senate Committee on Rules & Administration Monday and spoke one-on-one with WUSA9 a short time later after accepting the Freedom Award on behalf of USCP presented by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
The $1.7 trillion "omnibus" government spending bill winding its way through the House and Senate right now includes close to $10 million for Capitol Police to provide elected members of Congress security systems for the homes and their district offices.
"The number of threats that have come in against the members of Congress has grown so much that we've got to start thinking about not only their security while they're here at the Capitol but their security when they're at home and in their home districts," said Manger.
Chief Manger told Senators the number of threats made against members in 2017 was around 2,000 and had spiked to more than 9,000 in 2021.
His presentation included a stunning admission about the Capitol Police security afforded to the highest-ranking members of Congress.
"We, I think, don't provide the level of protection to some of the leadership that perhaps we should," said Manger.
Manger said the USCP is currently understaffed by about 10% and he explained to WUSA9 his reasoning why he feels the current levels of protection for Congressional leadership aren't adequate.
"We've got folks who are in the line of succession to the presidency," said Manger. "And I think we need to reevaluate the level of protection that each member gets."
"We have seen a great spike in threats against members of Congress and other public officials around the country," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) during a Tuesday Zoom interview with WUSA9. "So I do think it's going to be important that we look for ways to ensure the safety of members of Congress and other public officials."
The "omnibus" spending bill lawmakers are debating includes a total of $733 million for Capitol Police.
Manger said his goal is to add 280 additional officers to the force per year over the next several years.
"We are working on three key areas," Manger told senators. "Threat investigations, fully reopening the Capitol and staffing."
Manger said another goal is to be able to fully reopen the Capitol to pre-pandemic levels within the next three months.