A Third GOP Lawmaker, Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY, 5th District), has been issued a $5,000 Fine for Failing to Comply with a Security Screening before entering the House Chamber.
According to the Capitol Police Report published by the House Ethics Committee, on Tuesday, Rogers Set-Off the Metal Detector Stationed at One of the Entrances to the House chamber, last week, but continued walking.
A Capitol Police Officer then told Rogers he needed to be Hand-Wanded. "Maybe later, I have to vote," Rogers replied, according to the Police Report. Rogers then Returned after Voting and asked what he needed to do. The officer then Replied that Security Screenings need to be Completed before Entering the House chamber.
Rogers has Appealed the Fine, according to the Ethics Committee.
Two other House Republicans have faced Fines for Declining to follow the Security Screenings, which were established in the wake of the Jan. 6th Insurrection.
The House Ethics Committee upheld the Fines against Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX, 1st District) and Andrew Clyde (R-GA, 9th District).
House Democrats established the Fines: $5,000 for the First Offense and $10,000 for the Second, after several Republicans Refused to Comply with the Screenings in January 2021. Some Republicans continued Walking after setting-Off the Metal Detectors or Pushed Past Capitol Police Officers tasked with Enforcing the Screenings.
Clyde, who was issued Two Fines worth a Total of $15,000, said last week that he Plans to Challenge the Fines in Federal Court.
The House Ethics Committee has 30 days to Issue a Decision on whether to Grant an Appeal of a Fine. If a Majority on the Evenly Split Panel doesn't Agree to an Appeal, then the Fine is Upheld.
Lawmakers must Pay the Fines directly, it is Deducted from their Official Salaries, and Cannot use Campaign or Office Budget Funds.
Members of Congress are typically Granted the Privilege of Bypassing Metal Detectors throughout the Capitol Complex. With the Exception of the Metal Detectors outside the House Chamber, they still can Skip Security Screenings to enter OtherPparts of the Capitol or Surrounding Office Buildings that Staff and Visitors are Required to undergo.
A Concealed Gun was found on Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD, 1st District) in January, when he First attempted to go through a Metal Detector to enter the House Floor, confirming Democrats' Fears that some Republicans were flouting Long-Standing Rules prohibiting Firearms on the House and Senate Floors.
Gohmert maintained in his Appeal that he had Complied with an Initial Screening to enter the House Chamber, but briefly left to use the Restroom across the Hall. He said he was Unaware that he needed to Undergo another Screening upon Returning to the Chamber.
Clyde, meanwhile, did Not Deny in his Appeal that he had Evaded the Metal Detectors. He instead argued that the Fines are Unconstitutional and have been Selectively Enforced.
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