The Nancy Pelosi-led U.S. House of Representatives was forced to cancel votes slated for late this week due to security concerns, Fox News reported.
“We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4,” read a statement released Wednesday by the U.S. Capitol Police.
“We have already made significant security upgrades to include establishing a physical structure and increasing manpower to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police officers,” the statement added.
The Capitol Police went on: “Our Department is working with our local, state, and federal partners to stop any threats to the Capitol. We are taking the intelligence seriously. Due to the sensitive nature of this information, we cannot provide additional details at this time.”
“Mental scar tissue”
According to Fox, the House had been slated to vote on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act on Thursday, but the vote was moved up to Wednesday afternoon in light of the reported threats.
All further votes for the week have been canceled, Fox noted.
Interestingly, the Senate is expected to remain in session, moving forward with plans to hold a vote on the $1.9 trillion coronavirus package supported by President Joe Biden. But sources told Fox that House leadership was concerned about “mental scar tissue among members and staff” stemming from the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill.
Security has been a controversial issue in Washington after House Speaker Pelosi insisted that thousands of National Guard troops remain at the Capitol after President Biden’s inauguration, as Fox reported separately.
“Troublemakers” in Washington
Fox also reported Thursday that United States Capitol Police are requesting that the Guardsmen remain in the district for an additional two months, albeit in fewer numbers.
“The issue about the National Guard is one that will be made by the Capitol Police and the police board and the rest,” Pelosi said at a recent press conference in response to a reporter’s question on the matter.
“I’m not in a position to respond to that,” she added, according to Fox. “But we should have them here as long as they are needed.”
Pelosi also rejected claims that she was giving in to extremists by canceling this week’s votes, insisting: “I don’t think anybody should take any encouragement that because some troublemakers might show up that we changed our whole schedule.”
The post Security concerns prompt House to cancel floor votes for the rest of the week first appeared on Conservative Institute.
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