Lawmakers Can Use Campaign Funds for Home Security

Majority Whip Steve Scalise

As I'm sure many of you remember, in mid-June Steve Scalise, the majority whip of the House of Representatives, was shot while practicing with Republican congressional baseball team who were all looking forward to a friendly game of baseball which has been played for over a century to raise money for charity.

This incident was in fact very scary, even with Capitol Police officers as security detail were at the field in Alexandria with the congressmen it has raised concerns with many other lawmakers.

These two officers, Crystal Griner and David Bailey, were responsible for taking out the shooter, 66 year old James T. Hodgkinson, and were praised as heroes, as they stepped up to the shooter with pistols and only suffered minor injuries to each person, saving dozens of defenseless congressmen.

There is no doubt that these men were not heroic and they were needed at the game for the safety of the lawmakers, but new talk by the Federal Election Commission over the past few days would allow lawmakers to use campaign funds for home security....

The question here is not whether security is important for these lawmakers, especially in this time of many political protest and violence following this years election, but rather if the federal government is approaching the way in providing this protection properly.

On one hand, the Federal government is allocating $25,000 for each member to pay for security improvements at district offices and for security at public events as well as pushing for a $30 million increase in the Capitol Police budget to hire more officers, which I believe is acceptable to protect them and could have been expected in the wake of the tragedy about a month ago....

But the use of campaign funds would be used to upgrade the security of a lawmakers own home, and most importantly, doesn't have a limit on how much can be spent. This can lead to abuse and misuse of money given to a lawmaker through their campaign funds

Links on the Shooting and F.E.C Approval:

Steve Scalise Among 4 Shot at Baseball Field; Suspect Is Dead -from the New York Times

Lawmakers Can Use Campaign Funds for Home Security, F.E.C. Says- from New York Times

Agenda Document No. 17-29-A -from fec.gov

Questions for Discussion:

1. Is there reason to be concerned for possible abuse of campaign funds?

2. Is top-of-the-line home security really needed in every lawmakers home?

3. Should the government provide them with more protection away from the Capitol?

4. Is this decision to bold and heavily influenced by the recent tragedy?

5. How can the government prevent abuse? What restrictions/limits can they set for these expenses?