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Norton Continues to Oppose Permanent Fencing at the Capitol Complex

April 7, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that she continues to strongly oppose the installation of permanent fencing at the U.S. Capitol complex despite the incident on Friday when an individual rammed a car into a vehicle security checkpoint at the Capitol building, resulting in the tragic death of one Capitol Police officer and the injury of another. Norton says there will always need to be Capitol Police officers stationed at security checkpoints, regardless of the distance of the checkpoint to the Capitol, making it almost impossible to prevent a person from using a car to attack officers. Norton also noted that the retractable vehicle barrier at the security checkpoint at the Capitol building worked as intended and stopped the attacker's car from entering the grounds.

"My heart goes out to the loved ones of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans, who lost his life protecting the Capitol, the injured officer, Ken Shaver, and the entire Capitol Police force, which has experienced so much trauma in the last few months," Norton said. "There is no doubt that security at the Capitol complex needs be strengthened with 21st century approaches to security and intelligence, but such improvements can be done without permanent fencing that closes the People's House to the people."

Norton has introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the use of federal funds to install permanent fencing at the Capitol complex. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have introduced the companion bill.