GOP lawmakers call for Pelosi to be fined over new screenings

A group of Republicans is calling for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to be fined after they say she failed to abide by newly implemented rules requiring members to go through metal detectors before entering the House chamber.

Republicans on the House Administration Committee sent a letter to Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Timothy Blodgett on Friday requesting the fine, arguing Pelosi should have to abide by the new rule that she pushed to implement.

“Yesterday, at approximately 9:59 am, multiple members observed the Speaker of the House entering the House Chamber without completing security screening,” the Republicans wrote on Friday.

“What was observed was a clear violation of House Resolution 73 and you are required by House  Rules to impose this fine. Please inform us once the fine has been assessed,” they added. “We look forward to a prompt response to this inquiry.”

Blodgett responded by telling the members that he has not received a complaint from the Capitol Police about a violation by Pelosi.

“House Sergeant at Arms imposes the fine after receiving an unusual occurrence report from the United States Capitol Police (USCP). An unusual incident report from the Capitol Police is appended to the document sent to the Member providing notice of the fine,” he wrote.

“Only the USCP can determine whether an individual has failed to complete security screening as only the USCP has sufficient training to determine compliance with USCP screening procedures. I have directed that the USCP produce and provide unusual incident reports on any individual who fails to complete security screening without exception. I have not received any unusual incident report from the USCP concerning the Speaker of the House.”

Pelosi’s office referred The Hill to Blodgett’s response.

House Democrats voted this week to impose a $5,000 fine for first offense and $10,000 for the second for members who fail to comply with the new screenings.

The magnetometers were brought in by top Democrats last month in response to the deadly insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 when a mob of former President Trump’s supporters attempted to prevent the certification of President Biden’s Electoral College victory.

Many Republicans criticized the move to install the metal detectors, arguing the threat was coming from outside the building — not members. Several GOP lawmakers opted not to abide by the new rule, leading Democrats to pass the measure implementing penalties for those who bypass the screening.

GOP Reps. Louie Gohmert (Texas) and Andrew Clyde (Ga.) were issued fines earlier Friday.