Congressmen enraged by metal detectors on Capitol Hill

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(CNN) -

The decision to require members of Congress to go through metal detectors after last week's deadly siege further fueled tensions on Capitol Hill, sparking screaming clashes between Republicans and the police at times. Capitol.

Members of both parties expressed their frustration Tuesday night at the long lines outside the entrance to the Chamber floor.

Many Republicans consider the measure invasive.

Meanwhile, several Democrats called it necessary, as they increasingly view their colleagues from the other party as security threats.

And it all contributes to a sense of fury in Congress on the day of the impeachment vote.

• LEE: Minute by minute: Trump's second impeachment trial is approved

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican who was recently sworn in and ran for office largely with a message that emphasized her commitment to Second Amendment rights and bragged about her desire to carry a gun on Capitol Hill, had a altercation with police officers and initially refused to show officers what she was carrying in her purse Tuesday night.

Finally he was allowed into the Chamber.

"It is a shame that Nancy Pelosi is trying to disarm members of Congress in the very place that needed more protection on January 6," he said in a statement.

“Clearly the metal detectors would not have deterred the violent acts that we saw.

This political stunt does not improve the safety of members in the Capitol complex, ”he added.

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What happens here is a my ****.

You can drop that, ”said

Freedom Caucus

Chairperson

Rep. Andy Biggs.

The Arizona Republican called metal detectors the "stupidest thing" as he walked through them.

Shouting clashes with the Capitol Police

Representatives Steve Womack of Arkansas and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, both Republicans, blew up in front of Capitol police.

"He was physically restricted!" Womack yelled.

"It's my constitutional right!" Said Mullin.

Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, also a Republican, told Mullin not to yell at the Capitol police.

"This is not their fault, they are doing their job," Davis said.

But Davis, a top Republican on the House Administration Committee, told CNN that he is "angry" that the magnetometers were uploaded without asking any questions.

House minority whip Steve Scalise told CNN that the situation is "untenable" because it "impedes the ability of members to come and vote."

"This is our job," he added.

Capitol Police eventually gave several legislators permission to advance without passing them through the magnetometers.

House Democrats, however, have told CNN that they are concerned about some of their Republican colleagues and that there have been multiple conversations about the need for all members of Congress and their guests to start going through metal detectors.

Several are concerned that there are legislators ignoring the House rules regarding firearms.

Referring to Boebert, new Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and others, a House Democrat described to CNN "growing tensions with certain legislators who are in their first term for months, who have insisted on bringing firearms. in violation of the law and guidelines ”.

Concern about carrying weapons

"There are concerns about members who carry guns, but we also don't know who they are going to take to the inauguration that the metal detectors might bypass," said another House Democrat.

“Until there is an investigation and we understand the level of complicity of our colleagues in the attack, we do not know how involved they really were.

Until we have the answers, I don't think we should trust them.

Not (I mean) all, of course, but some of them, ”he said.

That Democrat pointed out that some of the House Republicans went to the House floor after last week's attack and continued to share discredited conspiracies about the 2020 election. Additionally, he added that some refused to wear face masks while taking refuge. at the scene and now at least three Democrats have tested positive for COVID-19.

Some Democrats are not happy with metal detectors, either.

"I am more likely to die of covid from getting it from a colleague than to die from a colleague shooting me," Texas Rep. Filemon Vela, a Democrat, told CNN.

CNN's Jake Tapper and Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.

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