Gippers Whine About Metal Detectors, But Pelosi Grabs 'Em By The Wallet

These fucking people.

Less than two weeks into the new Congress, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already had it up to here with the GOP and its antics. Yesterday she announced that members who refuse to pass through the newly installed metal detectors before entering the House chamber will be fined $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent refusals to comply with House rules. Because Miss Nancy does not play .

Even before last week's violent insurrection, the House was already headed for confrontation with several of the nuttiest Republican freshmen members. Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene campaigned on an explicit threat to come to DC and do violence to "The Squad" of Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Colorado's Lauren Boebert, who tweeted out Nancy Pelosi's location during the lockdown, has vowedto carry her Glock on the House floor in violation of the chamber's rules. And now, with allegations that some members gave "reconnaissance tours" to the attackers the day before the Capitol riot, tensions are at a fever pitch.

As per custom, Republicans have responded to the new security rules by pitching a hissy fit and abusing the "staff."

Rep. Rodney Davis told Mullin not to shout at Capitol Police, and he said: “This is not their fault, they’re doing… https://t.co/2DXpExQ0P5

— Manu Raju (@Manu Raju) 1610500196.0 

This jibes with a BuzzFeed story yesterday which says "[Capitol Police] Officers describe an environment where they are frequently disrespected by members of Congress and treated more like security guards or even personal security detail than as sworn police officers." Incidentally, two officers interviewed agreed that representatives might well have participated in planning the riot, telling BuzzFeed, "There are definitely some members who need to be held to account once an investigation shows the totality of circumstances."

Which makes it all the more galling that the very police force which literally put their bodies between Congress and a violent mob last week is being disrespected by Republican members who are pissed at having to spend twenty seconds getting screened like half the high schoolers in America do every single morning.

The Post   reports that the usual suspects — Gohmert, Boebert, Gossar, Perry, etc. – simply refused to stop, even after some of them set off the machine.

"It's my constitutional right. They can't stop me!" shouted Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin as he shoved past the Capitol cops. Jim Jordan repeated the complaint on the House floor, without specifying exactly which clause of the Constitution exempts him from basic security procedures.

"We now live in Pelosi's communist America!" Debbie Lesko whined on Twitter, although the platform's character limit prevented her explaining just how metal detectors will lead to a radical redistribution of wealth and the destruction of American capitalism.

Nor did Florida Rep. Greg Steube clarify in what manner this was all Joe Biden's fault when he howled on the House floor, "Take note, America. This is what you have to look forward to in the Joe Biden administration."

BOO FUCKING HOO.

As an aside, Russ Fulcher was the most aggressive member pushing through the metal detectors last night. A female… https: //t.co/KQ6IueyEa2

— Matt Fuller (@Matt Fuller) 1610554992.0 

That Rep. Fulcher is a real gentleman. Oh, divorced in 2018 citing his “acts of adultery." Go figure!

And so we've come to this, from the House speaker, who just last week had to impose fines to ensure mask compliance:

On behalf of the House, I express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. Capitol Police for the valor that they showed during the deadly insurrection on the Capitol, as they protected the lives of the staff and the Congress.

Sadly, just days later, many House Republicans have disrespected our heroes by verbally abusing them and refusing to adhere to basic precautions keeping members of our Congressional community, including the Capitol Police, safe. The House will soon move forward with a rule change imposing fines on those who refuse to abide by these protections. The fine for the first offense will be $5,000 and $10,000 for the second offense. The fines will be deducted directly from Members' salaries by the Chief Administrative Officer.

Make these selfish fuckers pay, Madame Speaker. God bless.

[ Pelosi Announcement / BuzzFeed / WaPo ]

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