Bulletproof Vests, Security Guards Approved for House Members
Bulletproof Vests, Security Guards Approved for House Members
Hiring a security detail is “an ordinary and necessary reimbursable expense,” the new guidelines say
Posted Feb 27, 2018 5:52 PM
https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/bulletproof-vests-approved-house-members/?utm_source=just-in&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletters
House lawmakers can use taxpayer funds to buy bulletproof vests and other security equipment, under a resolution approved by the House Administration Committee on Tuesday.
The resolution also allows members to hire security personnel for events such as town halls, to guard their district offices during business hours, and to accompany them on official business.
Paying a security detail for those reasons is now considered “an ordinary and necessary reimbursable expense,” according to the new guidelines.
Security expenditures over $500 must be added to offices’ inventories.
The changes to the Members’ Congressional Handbook come after a gunman opened fire at the Republican baseball practice last summer and wounded five, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
They also come amid a national debate on gun violence sparked by the Valentine’s Day shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. A former student roamed the halls there with an AR-15, killing 17 people.
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