House doubles lawmaker security, adds alert app
House Sergeant-at-Arms William McFarland told congressional offices that, starting Dec. 1, members will receive up to $20,000 per month for personal security at homes, district offices and while traveling—doubling a pilot stipend—and a separate $20,000 lifetime allotment for home hardening, plus $350 per month for monitoring. The House is also launching a Mobile Duress Program app on Dec. 1 to discreetly alert local police, the U.S. Capitol Police and the SAA, with access extended to one immediate family member.
📌 Key Facts
- Security stipend increases to $20,000 per month per member beginning Dec. 1; prior pilot level is doubled
- Separate $20,000 lifetime home-hardening budget and $350/month monitoring allowance for members’ residences
- New Mobile Duress Program app will notify local police, Capitol Police and SAA; available to one immediate family member
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the U.S. Capitol Police investigated 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats against Members of Congress.
USCP Threat Assessment Cases for 2024 — United States Capitol Police
The U.S. Capitol Police is on track to investigate roughly 14,000 threat assessment cases against lawmakers in 2025.
Data Visualization: Rising threats against lawmakers spur urgent calls for security upgrades — WBAL-TV
Threats against members of Congress increased from 902 in 2016 to 9,625 in 2021.
Election officials, lawmakers in Congress have faced increase in threats — ResponsiveGov
According to a poll of former members of Congress, 49% of Republicans and 46% of Democrats indicated that they receive threats at least somewhat frequently.
NEW POLL SHOWS RISE IN THREAT OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE — United States Association of Former Members of Congress
Female and racial minority members of Congress receive more threats according to a poll of former members.
New UMass Amherst Poll of Nearly 300 Former Members of Congress Shows Rising Concerns About Political Violence — University of Massachusetts Amherst
During the Biden administration (2021-2024), 48% of prosecuted threat events targeted Democratic members of Congress and 52% targeted Republican members.
New CPOST Study Shows Rising Threats against Members of Congress — Chicago Project on Security and Threats