07.12.21

Leahy Introduces Emergency Security Supplemental

WASHINGTON (Monday, July 12, 2021) – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday introduced a comprehensive emergency security supplemental to address the urgent security needs facing the Capitol and the country.  The $3.7 billion bill would address the violent insurrection that took place on January 6, provide funding for costs incurred on the Capitol complex and the Department of Defense related to the COVID pandemic, and provide the resources to support our Afghan partners as the United States’ mission winds down. 

Leahy said: “We did not budget for an insurrection, and I am glad that my Republican colleagues have joined the negotiating table on this urgent matter, but their proposal falls far short of the needs of the moment.  A violent insurrection happened.  A pandemic happened.  And the President announced the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.  These events created urgent needs that must be met now.  A piecemeal approach is no way to govern, and I have been here long enough to know that a promise to do it ‘later’ is no promise at all.  I look forward to working with my friend, Vice Chairman Shelby, on a comprehensive, bipartisan path forward before the Senate leaves for the August recess.”

For two months now, Chairman Leahy has been raising the alarm on the urgent need for a bipartisan compromise.  The Capitol Police has already exceeded its projected overtime as a result of the response to January 6, and if Congress does not act the Capitol Police will run out of salaries funding and may be forced to furlough officers sometime next month.  The National Guard also incurred unexpected expenses as a result of January 6, and without Congressional action will be forced to cancel training in August to make up for the costs of securing our nation’s capital. 

In the 53 days since the House passed its emergency supplemental, new challenges are facing our country.  Following the President’s announcement of the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, Leahy’s proposal includes funding to support the Afghans who supported our troops and new resources to care for the inevitable increase of refugees into the region.  This crisis is unfolding now and cannot wait.

The pandemic also resulted in unanticipated expenses on the Capitol complex and the Department of Defense that Congress has the obligation to pay, which are included in Leahy’s proposal.

It has been 187 days since the violent insurrection on the Capitol and 53 days since the House passed an emergency security supplemental.  Chairman Leahy first shared this proposal with Senate Republicans on June 4, after weeks of calling for bipartisan negotiations.  Chairman Leahy’s bill would:

  • Reimburse the National Guard for costs related to January 6;
  • Fund the Capitol Police and provide for overtime, retention bonuses, and mental health services;
  • Support a new law enforcement task force to respond to future events;
  • Provide funding to secure the windows and doors of the Capitol complex and other expenses resulting from January 6;
  • Provide humanitarian Assistance for Afghan refugees;
  • Support Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans who supported the United States;
  • Provide funding for the legislative branch for COVID costs;
  • Provide funding for the Department of Defense  for COVID costs;
  • Provide Violence Against Women Act funds related to COVID; and
  • Provide funding to secure federal courts for post January 6 security.

The text of the bill can be found here.

A summary of the bill can be found here.

Leahy’s full statement can be found here.

 

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