Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed deep concern Monday over “growing threats” to congressional lawmakers in a letter asking for clarification over whether members can use their taxpayer-funded allowances to pay for personal security.
Burchett’s letter to the top Republican and Democrat on the House Committee on Administration – the panel which oversees the use of Members’ Representational Allowances (MRAs) – comes days after a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband were gunned down by an assassin targeting politicians.
“We are deeply concerned about growing threats to the safety of elected officials and request the Committee on House Administration to clarify that Members’ Representational Allowances (MRAs) may be used for around-the-clock security services,” Burchett wrote in his letter, obtained by The Post.
The average MRA provided to House lawmakers last year was about $1.9 million per representative – money provided to support “official conduct and representational duties.”
The Tennessee Republican notes that under congressional rules, it appears lawmakers are only allowed to use MRA money on security expenses “when those services are provided at official, member-hosted district events, during the performance of official duties, or at district offices during business hours.”
Burchett called the current interpretation of the rules for MRAs “inadequate” in light of the Saturday shootings targeting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and state Sen. John Hoffman, along with their spouses, and the 2017 assassination attempt against Senate Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) at a Congressional Baseball practice.
“Had these lawmakers served in Congress, they would not have been allowed to use MRA funds for personal protection, despite being targeted,” Burchett said of the shooting that killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the separate assassination attempt against Hoffman, which left him and his wife badly wounded.
“The reality is, Members of Congress are publicly identifiable at all times,” Burchett continued. “Our addresses are posted online and the threats are constant.”
“While we are grateful for the efforts of local law enforcement, the unique risks associated with serving in Congress require security beyond what is currently available.”
The congressman called on the House panel to take “all necessary steps to expand the permissible use of Members’ Representational Allowances to include personal security, excluding campaign-related activity.”
“Protecting elected officials from political violence is critical for effective representation and a functioning government,” Burchett argued.
The “manifesto” of suspected Minnesota political assassin Vance Boelter contained the names of as many as 70 people — largely lawmakers and abortion advocates — he may have sought to target, according to authorities.
The chilling list reportedly included Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.).
Boelter, 57, was captured in a rural area outside Minneapolis Sunday night.
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