The Hill - Republicans Keep Capitol Security on the Table in Weighing Areas for Budget Cuts

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By Jordy Yager

House Republicans are considering whether to cut the Capitol's security as a way to trim the congressional budget.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) met with House Sergeant at Arms Bill Livingood on Wednesday to discuss several areas of the Capitol's security that could be cut back in an effort to make good on the GOP promise of reining in government spending.

"We talked a lot about security and what the real needs are," said Cole in an interview. "[Livingood] is sensitive to the fact that we're going to have to make some tough decisions."

Lawmakers are not interested in taking a hatchet to the Capitol's security budget, Cole said -- rather, they're planning to hold a series of lengthy discussions about areas that were initially tightened in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"This is not a hostile takeover," said Cole. "This is a productive discussion. Our aim is the same as theirs. Nobody wants to make the institution or people less secure. On the other hand, it's been 10 years since 9/11 and we did a lot of things then, that [it's worth asking] did we really need to do? Are there areas we need to do more in? It's that kind of thorough assessment."

Cole is a key member of the Republican group charged with looking at possible areas to cut within the House's internal operations and maintenance as the party transitions to power in January.

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), the soon-to-be chairman of the House Administration Committee, agreed with Cole that security operations should be looked at, but he said that Republicans should consult closely with Livingood and Capitol Police officials.

"We should do what's necessary to provide the appropriate security of this place, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be looked at just like anything else, including the defense budget," said Lungren in an interview.

Wednesday's meeting came as the House was perched to vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government operating through next September. The measure would hold the legislative branch budget steady at $4.65 billion, the same as FY2010 levels. Capitol officials requested a 10 percent increase, for a total of $5.12 billion, for FY2011.

Cole said no area of the legislative branch budget is going to be immune from possible cuts next year, as the country's economy reels and jobless rates continue to rise.

"I don't think Congress can ask other people to sacrifice and hold itself immune," said Cole.

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Administration Committee's Subcommittee on Capitol Security, said he welcomed Republicans looking at possible areas in the Capitol's security to cut back, such as rearranging the House's schedule so fewer officers are needed to guard the building's entrances in the evening hours. But, he emphasized, any changes should be made very carefully.

"I have no problem looking at everything, including Capitol security," said Capuano. "But looking at it is one thing. But we need to listen to experts. It's not about a bottom dollar. It's about security."

A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police declined to comment.

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