Pelosi on Capitol Hill: "the enemy is inside the House of Representatives"

Republicans want to enter Congress armed, according to Democrat 0:53

(CNN) -

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday that she is committed to addressing her colleagues' security concerns, but said the effort is hampered because "the enemy is within the House of Representatives, 'referring to the rhetoric and behavior of some Republican members of Congress.

Reporters asked Pelosi about how members of Congress are concerned for their own safety in the wake of the attack on the Capitol and the violent rhetoric from other members, following a letter signed by more than 30 lawmakers asking for more flexibility regarding the use of Congressional appropriation for personal security in their home districts and other security-related requests.

Pelosi also cited a security review currently being conducted by retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, whom he met Thursday for an initial assessment.

"So we want to have a scientific approach to how we protect members of Congress," Pelosi said at her weekly press conference.

"I believe and have said it all the time that we probably need a supplement for increased security for members when the enemy is inside the House of Representatives, a threat that worries members in addition to what is happening outside."

When pressured by reporters on what she meant by that comment, Pelosi said, "It means we have members of Congress who want to bring guns to the ground and have threatened violence against other members of Congress."

Pelosi did not clarify which legislators she was referring to.

U.S. Capitol police had investigated an incident in which a Republican lawmaker failed to bring a concealed weapon to the House floor last week, sources told CNN, the first time that now-installed metal detectors have discovered a member of Congress with a firearm outside the legislative chamber.

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Congressmen send a letter asking for more security

In response to the letter requesting additional resources and flexibility for security, Pelosi said Thursday that concerns in a letter from lawmakers, requesting more flexibility to use their congressional appropriations, have already been addressed.

"First of all, I appreciate the letter from the members, but most of the questions, the items on the list, have already been asked," he said.

"Maybe they weren't aware of it, and I take responsibility that they aren't."

His comments come after more than 30 House members sent a letter to Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Thursday requesting more flexibility to use their Congressional appropriations to help their personal safety through hiring local law enforcement or other security personnel for their home district offices.

“While the United States Capitol is protected by the Capitol Police supported by strong security measures, including vehicle barriers and metal detectors, most members spend most of their time in their constituencies , where security is often poor, "they wrote in the letter.

“Protecting members in your district is much more difficult because local law enforcement agencies are limited and don't have enough staff or money to provide regular protection to members.

With the exception of the leadership, the members have no security details to protect them.

Thursday's letter disagreed with existing rules regarding the rules governing the use of the membership allowance, describing the protocols as "constrictive and anachronistic, established in a time before the present."

CBS News first reported the letter.

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The request is the latest development in a series of reactions to the deadly January 6 Capitol riots that have shocked lawmakers and their staff.

As threats continue to mount against members of Congress, concerns are growing about the safety of some lawmakers when traveling outside of Washington and the security bubble it provides, multiple sources told CNN earlier this week.

The letter was written by Democratic Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Dean Phillips of Minnesota and addressed to Pelosi, McCarthy and the Speaker and Senior Republican Member of the House Administration Committee, Representatives Zoe Lofgren of California and Rodney. Davis from Illinois.

While the list was signed primarily by Democrats, one Republican signed the letter: Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan.

The attacks on the Capitol

This comes after the House Administration Committee sent a letter to members earlier this month reminding them of the various options they had for security-related expenses "in light of the tragic events surrounding the seditious rape. of the Capitol ».

The January 11 letter that was distributed to members reminded them that in their districts, they can get reimbursed for having security at a district event or away from district offices.

The letter instructed members that the House Sergeant at Arms will provide "certain security enhancements" for district offices and that a bulletproof vest and security training are also considered reimbursable expenses.

Yogananda Pittman, the acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, called on Thursday for a permanent fence and other improved security measures around the Capitol complex.

"In light of recent events, I can say unequivocally that major improvements must be made to the physical security infrastructure to include permanent fencing and the availability of ready backup forces in the vicinity of the Capitol," Pittman said in a statement.

Pittman continued, "I look forward to working with Congress to identify the security enhancements necessary to ensure the security of Congress and the United States Capitol."

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Pro-Trump protesters pushed through barriers along the perimeter of the Capitol building, clashing with police, the full riot squad, and some calling the agents "traitors" for doing their jobs.

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The protesters pushed the metal fences and the police.

They also used the fences to push the protesters back.

(Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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Police officers were seen leaning over metal fences to beat people trying to cross them.

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The session to count and certify Electoral College votes for president and vice president was suspended.

This photo shows Senators Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConell before the suspension.

(Credit: KEVIN DIETSCH / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

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A Capitol Police officer confronts a horde of pro-Trump protesters as they entered the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The protesters broke through security barriers and entered Congress debating the certification of electoral votes.

(Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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An agitator enters the Senate compound and sits on the main podium.

(Credit: Igor Bobic / Huffington Post)

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Security agents point their weapons at a door that was vandalized in the House of Representatives, during the session to certify the electoral votes of President Joe Biden.

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A crowd of Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, as seen from inside the building, on the afternoon of January 6, 2021 in Washington.

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This was the situation in the Capitol on January 6 in the afternoon, when protesters stormed the premises of Congress and confronted the police.

There was tear gas.

(Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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A Capitol police officer wears a gas mask during armed protesters' rampage into Congress.

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A protester is seen hanging from the balcony of the Senate Chamber amid riots at the Capitol.

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Capitol police officers detained several protesters outside the House of Representatives after they stormed a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021 in Washington protesting against Biden's victory.

(Credit: Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

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Some people in Congress use plastic bags as armed protesters stormed the joint session of Congress to ratify Biden's victory as president.

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A man sat on the main Senate podium, while the Capitol was closed and police tried to contain the escalation of protests.

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Outside the Capitol, pro-Trump protesters continued their protest to prevent the victory of President-elect Joe Biden from being certified.

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Police throw water at protesters who clashed to try to enter the Capitol in Washington.

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Protesters enter the United States Capitol building on January 6, 2021 in Washington.

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(Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the Capitol Rotunda on January 6, 2021. (Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

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Protesters protest outside the United States Capitol in Washington, after rioters stormed the Congress building.

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Trump supporters clash with police and security forces outside the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. (Credit: JOSEPH PREZIOSO / AFP via Getty Images)

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Pro-Trump protesters broke through security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated Electoral College certification.

(Credit: ALEX EDELMAN / AFP via Getty Images)

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Crowds gather outside the US Capitol on January 6, amid clashes with police.

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A Capitol police officer looks out of a broken window as protesters gather at the building on January 6, 2021 in Washington.

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Pro-Trump protesters gather outside the US Capitol building.

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The image shows the deployment of tear gas as pro-Trump protesters enter the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. (Credit: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images)

But lawmakers from both parties rejected the idea of ​​fencing off the Capitol.

Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss tweeted that it would be a "mistake to turn the home of our democracy into a fortress."

Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, tweeted: “This is the House of the People.

I strongly oppose it.

No threat reports have been given to members of Congress to justify this proposal.

When asked about Pittman's recommendations, Pelosi Under Secretary-General for Personnel Drew Hammill said in a statement that "the president looks forward to the final assessment from General Honoré."

In her own statement after meeting with Honoré, Pelosi said her initial assessment "covered operational readiness, interagency cooperation, security infrastructure, and institutional staff morale and readiness."

"As I consider the need for an emergency supplemental funding bill to meet institutional security needs, I want to thank the general for reviewing what is necessary for the Capitol Police to do their job," Pelosi said.

The Acting Chief of the US Capitol Police told members of Congress during a closed-door briefing Tuesday that "the department did not meet its own high standards" on January 6 when a crowd of pro-Trump protesters invaded the Capitol building.

Pittman called the uprising a "terrorist attack" and offered his "sincerest apologies on behalf of the department," according to his comments prepared during a briefing for legislators on the House Appropriations Committee with various agencies that had a role in security in January.

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- CNN's Clare Foran, Manu Raju, Zachary Cohen, and Ryan Nobles contributed to this report.

Assault on the Capitol US Congress