(Catherine Mortensen) – House Speaker Nancy’s Pelosi’s appointee on the Hill appears to be giving her a pass from her own security mandates in another case of rules for thee, but none for me.
After the House Speaker fined two Republican lawmakers, Reps. Louie Gohmert and Andrew Clyde $5,000 each for violating her new House metal detector rule, Republicans from the Committee on House Administration demanded that Pelosi be held accountable herself for the same offense.
According to a letter the lawmakers sent to the House Acting Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett, Pelosi was seen ignoring the metal detectors as she entered the House Chamber. Blodgett told the lawmakers only the Capitol Police have the authority to fine the Speaker, appearing as if he would not take action. The Republicans on the Committee on House Administration tweeted Blodgett’s letter with commentary, “Just proves this new rule is being arbitrarily enforced & clearly does not apply to all members. It was put in place for political gain, not for safety.”
The acting sergeant of arms is appointed by Pelosi.
House Democrats voted last week to impose a $5,000 fine for first offense and $10,000 for the second for members who fail to comply with the new screenings.
The magnetometers were brought in by top Democrats last month after the Capitol attack on Jan. 6.
Many Republicans criticized the move to install the metal detectors, arguing the threat was coming from outside the building — not members. Several GOP lawmakers opted not to abide by the new rule, leading Democrats to pass the measure implementing penalties for those who bypass the screening.
Catherine Mortensen is Vice President of Communications at Americans for Limited Government.
