Capitol Hill Police may request National Guard backup faster under new plan
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Capitol Hill security officials will be able to request emergency assistance from National Guard troops more quickly as part of a measure finalized by Congress on Tuesday night.
The move comes nearly a year after the assault on Capitol Hill by protesters determined to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
As crowds overwhelmed the understaffed Capitol Hill police force, reinforcements from the District of Columbia National Guard were slowed in their response due to rules regarding formal requests for help.
The new legislation will allow United States Capitol Police officials to seek assistance from the District of Columbia Guard without the prior approval of the Capitol Police Board.
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“[The Jan. 6 attack] has shown us that every minute counts in an emergency, â€said Senator Amy Klobuchar, chair of the Senate Rules Committee. “This legislation will help ensure that the Capitol Police chief has the authority to promptly call in reinforcements to the Capitol in the event of an emergency.”
The new legislation comes amid confusion over the response and role of the National Guard during protests, spearheaded by President Donald Trump.
According to documents released by a House special investigative committee earlier this week, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows sent an email saying the National Guard would be available on the day of the protests. to “protect pro-Trump people.”
Members of the guard took several hours to respond to reports that rioters smashed the doors and windows of the Capitol in an attempt to reach lawmakers. Military and political leaders argued for months over the cause of the delays, caused in part by overly bureaucratic rules about requests for aid.
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Lawmakers have also discussed the possibility of creating a National Guard rapid reaction force to respond to future complex emergencies on Capitol Hill, but so far this proposal has not received enough support to become a reality.
About 26,000 National Guard troops were mobilized to provide security after the January 6 attacks and around the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20.
Biden is expected to sign the new legislation in the coming days.
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, DC since 2004, focusing on policies relating to military personnel and veterans. His work has earned him numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk Award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism Award, and the VFW News Media Award.