Norton Announces D.C. Victories in Supplemental Security Appropriations Bill Passed by House Today
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, passed by the House today, contains victories for the District of Columbia she sought. The bill provides D.C. $66.7 million to eliminate the long-running deficit in the federally funded D.C. Emergency Planning and Security Fund (EPSF), prohibits the use of funds in the bill to install permanent above-ground fencing at the Capitol complex, and requires Capitol Police officers to wear body cameras. In February, Norton introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the use of funds to install permanent fencing at the Capitol complex. In March, the House passed her Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act, which would require federal police officers to wear body cameras and use dashboard cameras, as part of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021.
"The bill the House passed today would finally repay D.C. for the public safety and security costs it incurs as the nation's capital," Norton said. "Over the last several years, Republicans have opposed fully funding the EPSF. Whatever their motivations may have been, Congress must never shortchange security in the nation's capital again, as demonstrated on January 6th.
"In addition, the bill would achieve two other causes I've long championed: Requiring the use of body cameras for Capitol Police officers and banning funds from being used to erect permanent fencing around the Capitol, which would in effect wall off the legislature from the people we represent."