WASHINGTON — Shaken by the attempted assassination of Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona, House members are rethinking planned events that have them mingling unprotected with constituents in their congressional districts.
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-White Plains) yesterday said she would keep doing the community visits she calls “Neighborhood Office Hours” — but from now on, the cops and feds would be involved.
“Ensuring the safety of all participants is of the highest importance and will be reviewed with the advice of local and federal law enforcement,” Lowey said.
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-Bronx) said he expects there to be ample discussions on Capitol Hill about “some sort of security for Congress members.”
The Capitol Police is chiefly responsible for protecting members of Congress on the Hill as well as across the country.
The force — which has about 1,800 officers — guards Capitol Hill entrances, parking lots and park grounds, not to mention the 535 lawmakers.
But now, some of the legislators are wondering if that’s enough.
Two lawmakers, Reps. Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) told Politico.com they plan to be armed themselves when they return to their home districts.
Both legislators have conceal and carry permits and said they’ve been the recipients of threats in the past, the Web site said.
Congressional leaders announced there will be a rare bipartisan security briefing, to include the House sergeant-at-arms, the Capitol Police and the FBI, this week.