Russell Honor calls for background checks on all congressional staff

[Nevilledog]

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D.K.R. Boyd
@ReflectingMan
Russell Honoré: Head of Capitol security review calls for background checks on all congressional staff - CNNPolitics

Head of Capitol security review calls for background checks on all congressional staff
The leader of a task force that reviewed security failures around the January 6 insurrection reiterated his call on Monday for background checks on all congressional staff following yet another...
cnn.com
7:33 AM · Apr 6, 2021

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/05/politics/honore-capitol-police-mission-congressional-staff-background-checks-cnntv/index.html

Washington (CNN) — The leader of a task force that reviewed security failures around the January 6 insurrection reiterated his call on Monday for background checks on all congressional staff following yet another deadly attack at the US Capitol.

But Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, speaking to CNN's Jim Sciutto, also pushed back on claims that the Capitol Police is unable to currently fulfill its mission of protecting lawmakers, calling the assertion "BS."

Honoré said that his team did not investigate allegations that some Republican lawmakers and staff gave tours to those who later participated in the January 6 riot, but said he continues to support recommendations for conducting background checks on everyone working at the Capitol -- a potentially massive undertaking that raises several logistical and political questions. Currently, there is only a background check process for staffers who apply for security clearances.

"We made recommendations that everyone coming into the Capitol give background checks, the entire Congressional staff," Honoré said. "We do think that everyone going into the Capitol, that works there, should have complete background checks and we need to improve the ability to process people with vestibules outside of the Capitol so people can comes in, be quickly screened and go through using the best technology."

*snip*

[lagomorph777]

1. Also, please run checks on all Members and Senators.

Some of them have pretty ugly criminal records (Boeber, Gaetz).

[soothsayer]

2. Yep

[jimfields33]

5. How about releasing the sexual harassment pay outs

They’ve talked about that for years and nothing. Since it’s tax payer money used, I think it’s our right to know.

[lagomorph777]

6. +1000

[marble falls]

3. Why hasn't it been done before now?

[dsc]

4. my guess is separation of powers

the check would be by the executive.

[DURHAM D]

7. That was my question.

I thought it was.

[superpatriotman]

8. Background, Civics AND Drug testing

They work for us. We pay their salaries.

[bottomofthehill]

9. Note he is calling for background checks but nothing about what would or could be done with the info

Members of Congress have wide latitude as to who they can hire regardless of what turns up in a background check. The average background takes a year and costs a lot of money, the average staffer stays on the hill for 2 years. What does General Honore think that backgrounding the staff would or would not have stopped. Much like Jared, if the Member wants someone on his or her staff, they will over look the findings and hire who they want. On the other hand, access to materials that require a background check can and are restricted on the Hill.