Rep. James E. Clyburn, South Carolina Democrat, said Sunday that Congress should increase spending for enhanced security for congressional lawmakers, following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona Democrat.
“We ought to take a look [at congressional members’ security and personal spending accounts] rather than cut, cut, cut,” Mr. Clyburn, the House’s assistant minority leader, said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Mr. Clyburn said the federal Transportation Safety Administration thinks “Congress people should be treated like everybody else.”
The GOP-controlled House voted last week in favor of cutting the chamber’s operating budget by 5 percent, which is expected to save roughly $35 million.
The vote will trim the roughly $1.5 million annual operating account for each of the chamber’s 435 members by roughly $75,000, which will likely result in less staff.
• Joseph Weber can be reached at jweber@washingtontimes.com.old.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.