House members will have more access to home security, following an increase in threats and safety concerns. The announcement came from Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Committee on House Administration which oversees Capitol security enforcements.
The framework will aim to “address security gaps and alleviate Members’ concerns while fulfilling their duties as elected officials, particularly in their districts and residences.”
“We just had the RSC presser about the one year anniversary with Butler, and a lot of members talked about security concerns, saying something along the lines of ‘the Capitol Police didn’t have enough resources,’ and that they didn’t feel safe in the new threat environment,” Steil told the Washington Examiner. “This is a step towards helping them.”
Steil’s changes will increase money for the residential security program limit to $20,000, which allocates them $10,000 more for “a comprehensive suite of security equipment to be installed at their residences and address rising costs in security equipment.”
Additionally, the enhanced security measures also include an increase in monitoring and maintenance allotment from $150 to $5,000 a month for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025—which ends in September—allowing it to be used toward personal security. Members can use the funds to find security personnel to accompany them in their home state or protect their residence.
Previously, a member would rely on campaign funds to seek out one-on-one security.
The new provisions will also expand partnerships between Capitol Police and local law enforcement to provide additional protection if a threat arises.
The chairman said that his goal for the House administration committee is to “depoliticize the process,” and to look at ways to “improve resources for members to make sure they and their families are safe.”
Since President Donald Trump’s assassination attempt in Butler last July, threats have increased immensely, with lawmakers calling for more protection measures.
The U.S. Capitol Police held an investigation and found that direct threats to members of Congress doubled from 2017 to 2024, including an 18.3% increase from 2023 to 2024.
According to a Department of Homeland Security 2025 assessment, politically motivated violence ranks among the U.S.’s top threats.
Recent threats include a politically-motivated June shooting targeting Minnesota lawmakers, and Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) said he was “run off the road” by a man carrying a Palestinian flag.
“My family has now been put right in harm’s way,” Miller said. “And enough is enough, and it’s not just on members of Congress. It’s also on our constituents to act with decorum and just to behave with respect.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) echoed Miller’s comments, saying that Capitol Police do not have enough resources to respond to the increased threats.
“The Capitol Police don’t have enough resources and all of my colleagues here can tell you their own stories of dealing with death threats,” Greene previously said. “I think we do need protection — and we don’t have any.”
Steil said the next step to protect members, staff, and visitors from growing threats is to have constant reviews “of what’s necessary to keep members safe.”
The chairman said that the U.S. Capitol is unique in that it is an open campus, and wants to maintain that availability to the American people.
“We’re constantly working, looking for ways to improve coordination with local law enforcement,” Steil said. “And again, it’s a goal of keeping not only the members and their family safe, but also their staff as well as the general public who’s interacting.”
While the changes come right before House members go on recess, Steil said that they were not intentionally announced prior to the lawmakers going home.
“We announced it as soon as we were able to reach agreement, outline the funds, and delineate the program,” Steil said. “I think it’s good timing knowing that members are going to be home, but for most members, their families are home 365 days of the year. So for the family side of this, recess isn’t as much of a delineation, but for our membership.”
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The Senate is analyzing and reviewing its own security programs as well, according to Steil.
David Sivak and Samantha-Jo Roth contributed to this report