Courtney Passes Supplemental Security Bill to Support U.S. Capitol Police and CT National Guard following January 6th Besiegement of the U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act (H.R. 3237). The bill addresses the January 6th insurrection by authorizing new funding to secure the safety of the U.S. Capitol, protect facilities, employees, visitors, and Members, and to provide for safe Congressional operations. The bill also provides funding that will reimburse the National Guard units, including the Connecticut National Guard, for their response and subsequent presence at the U.S. Capitol.
Additionally, the bill will also make 8,000 additional Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) available to America's Afghan allies—the translators and interpreters who worked alongside our troops in Afghanistan, as well as their families. Rep. Courtney has helped advance several bipartisan efforts to expedite SIVs for America's Afghan allies, and H.R. 3237 will help get the job done faster.
"It has been 128 days since the January 6th insurrection, and its long past time to recognize the work and sacrifices of our Connecticut National Guard, and of our Capitol Police officers," said Rep. Courtney. "I spoke with several members of the Connecticut National Guard who were deployed to Washington to support Capitol Police and defend our nation's capital during those first few tumultuous weeks of January—they didn't ask to come to Washington, but they stepped up to provide support and security because that was part of the oath they took to serve our country. The bipartisan Security Supplemental bill will make sure that the men and women in blue at the Capitol Police get the support and benefits they deserve, and it will make sure that our Connecticut National Guard are fully reimbursed for their service at the U.S. Capitol—but it shouldn't have taken this long. The House passed funding for these programs two months ago, and I'm pleased that the Senate finally took up this measure, which closely mirrors the House's action."
H.R. 3237 is based on the recommendations of the Task Force 1-6 Capitol Security Review. The Task Force was led by Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré (ret.), and comprised of senior retired military leaders and law enforcement experts. The bill authorizes funding that recognizes the work and sacrifice of U.S. Capitol Police and National Guard units, and to improve security at the U.S. Capitol. Specifically, the bill:
Responds to the direct costs incurred by the violent attack on the Capitol
- Reimburses the National Guard and District of Columbia for their response and subsequent presence at the Capitol;
- Supports the Capitol Police with overtime pay, retention bonuses, equipment replacement, and wellness and trauma support;
- Secures resources to continue prosecuting the perpetrators of the January 6th insurrection
Will help protect facilities, employees, visitors, and Members at the Capitol going forward
- Improves security by hardening windows and doors, constructing security screening vestibules, and installing new cameras;
- Creates a dedicated Quick Reaction force to augment the Capitol Police in cases of emergency;
- Bolsters security for Members of Congress, as well as for federal judges—many of whom are presiding over the trials of January 6th insurrectionists;
- Provides specialized training, riot control equipment, and body cameras for the Capitol Police
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