The House of Representatives narrowly approved a bill to increase Capitol security funding after members of the “Squad” broke with the rest of the party, The New York Times reports.
The $1.9 billion emergency spending bill aimed at paying costs related to the security at the Capitol following the January 6 riot passed 213-212 on Thursday.
The vote, which came mostly down party lines, suggests the bill will face steep Republican opposition in the Senate, where at least 10 Republicans would have to support it to avoid a filibuster.
“It is profoundly disappointing that every single House Republican voted today to reject strengthening security at the Capitol,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said, calling the vote “yet another blow to recognizing and acknowledging the truth of what happened that day.”
The bill would provide $520 million to reimburse the National Guard for its security costs, $250 million to build retractable fencing around the Capitol complex, $200 million to create a rapid-response National Guard force, $160 million to harden the windows and doors of the Capitol, more than $175 million to protect federal courts and judges, and nearly $40 million to fund the prosecution of those who participated in the January 6 riot.
Squad members break with Dems:
Progressive Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Rashida Tlaib voted “present” on the measure while Reps. Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley voted against it.
The vote underscored progressive opposition to boosting funding for law enforcement in the wake of last year’s racial justice protests. Along with the bulk of the funding, the bill also includes funds to provide body cameras for Capitol Police officers and support the Capitol Police intelligence division.
“The attack on Jan. 6 was not due to a lack of police funding; it was a lack of coordination, preparation, and sharing of intelligence,” Bowman said. “It was because the threat of white supremacy has been enabled to spread and fester throughout our nation, including within law enforcement.”
Capitol riot commission faces long odds:
Along with the funding bill, the Democratic-approved January 6 commission also faces long odds of passing in the Senate after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell came out against it this week.
Just 35 House Republicans joined every Democrat to approve the commission, which would be a bipartisan panel to investigate the riot.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would fast-track the bill to a Senate vote soon.
The Republican opposition could set up the commission bill as the first Republican filibuster of the Biden era.
