Gun seller turned congressman becomes first of 2 republicans fined for 'skipping' metal detectors:

[riversedge]

Source: alternet



February 06, 2021
........................

Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas, a former state judge, and Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, a gun shop owner, refused to use the magnetometers before entering the Capitol building on Friday, almost one month to the day of a violent insurrection that led to the deaths of more than five people.


The House this week passed a rule requiring all members of Congress walk through the metal detectors before entering the House chamber or face graduating fines, starting at $5000 for the first offense.

CNN's Kristin Wilson reports the Congressmen have been fined $5000 each. The fines are automatically deducted from their paychecks.

Some Republicans have been suspected of bringing a gun onto the House floor, including Republican Congressman Andy Harris of Maryland, CBS News reported. GOP Congressman Madison Cawthorn claimed he was armed with a gun the day of the insurrection.





Read more: https://www.alternet.org/2021/02/gop-guns/

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[Harker]

1. I doubt their paychecks are the source of their income. n/t

[marble falls]

21. Then double the fine. If needed, redouble it. Third violation is expulsion from Congress ...

The question is: Should a member who is unable to follow laws be empowered to write law?

[Harker]

31. That's more like it. n/t

[LiberalLovinLug]

51. They should just double it every time

5000 - 10,000 - 20,000 - 40,000 - 80,000 - 160,000 -..........they can decide when they want to get off and be a good boy or girl

[Gore1FL]

36. $5000 is still gonna leave a mark. nt

[Grokenstein]

42. That's okay...

A wealthy miser bawls louder over the loss of a penny than a poor worker frets over the loss of ten dollars.

[Harker]

44. That's true.

I think a strict policy of no admittance is best.

I don't trust all representatives to enter the chamber unarmed.

[PSPS]

54. There's the real truth to this.

These people would work with no salary at all. They get plenty of money elsewhere (bribes, bitcoin from putin, etc.) Their usefulness is in steering public policy so it enriches their benefactors who see it as just a "cost of doing business." They funnel a few million to these people and, in exchange, reap billions of dollars in return in federal contracts, etc. I could add that they get tax breaks too except they already don't pay any taxes thanks to the millions of dollars they funneled to these people in the past.

[Rebl2]

2. Do they

Then have to turn their guns over to capital police?

[genxlib]

3. Taking bets right now

More than one of these asshats see themselves as a 2nd amendment crusader and will try to ride this all the way to the Supreme Court.

All things considered, I can’t say for sure they won’t be successful. So far we have been spared any truly shocking results out of the SC but they are still the reactionary partisans that we know them to be. Would you really put it past them?

[Gore1FL]

37. The SCOTUS won't take a suit regarding congressional rules, I bet.

They don't want to swim in the waters of the separation of power.

[Maxheader]

4. cool,

Right from theys paycheck....

[Walleye]

6. Wonder what their families think of this. Or are they all too rich to care

[Maxheader]

8. it would piss bill gates off...

To lose 5000$...guaranteed...

[Walleye]

10. I believe it

[msfiddlestix]

38. They are too Rich to care

There has to be a steeper price like being charged with a Felony Misdemeanor plus a 50, 000 fine or more.

[Mike Niendorff]

5. Serious question:

Why is there an "around" option at all?

Easy enough to block off any route other than "through".

Why is that not being done?


MDN

[Walleye]

7. I guess the cops don't wanna have to bodyslam a congressman

[Mike Niendorff]

9. Easy fix:

Just drywall up the space between the metal detector and the wall.

Nobody has to bodyslam anybody

There's just no way "around" anymore.

You either go "through", or you don't go in.


MDN

[Walleye]

12. If that's what they have to do, it's ok . Maybe they have to come and go through the same spot.

I wouldn’t blame a capitol cop for bodyslamming one of these guys though.🤕

[33taw]

33. The CP would have to stand up to them. Hmmm...

[obamanut2012]

48. The Reps can still just go through them and not stop

They will also be the fined if they do this.

It is illegal -- and should be -- to stop stop any Members of Congress from entering the Chamber for business.

Fining them will at least help stop some of them.

[quakerboy]

11. Let me know when their bribes are no longer enough to cover the fines

Till then, meh.

[Walleye]

13. 😁😁

[Sugarmaggie]

14. Wonder where the money is going from fines assessed

Let’s hope back into repairing damage to Capitol and more screening equip. It’s all political posturing for their base and they need to be in the news. Keep the money coming I say.

[ailsagirl]

15. Great - we'll be hearing from them in future

More deplorables... UGH!!!
😡👎😬

[Cryptoad]

16. So for $5 K ,,,

u can have a small bomb delivered to the floor of teh House while in session. Geeeez!

[dawg day]

17. The arrogance of these people...

Imagine being in a workplace where there had been a shooting, and a few of your least stable coworkers start defiantly bringing a gun to the office, defying security, and declaring that they don't have to obey any rules or care about other people.

[tanyev]

25. And you're not sure if your coworkers would use the guns to defend you or attack you.

[MySideOfTown]

18. LOL

The Supreme Court is a secure judicial facility. · All visitors will be required to pass through a metal detector. · No food or drinks are allowed in the Courtroom.

[Jon King]

19. None of this makes sense....

If you try to go around a metal detector at the airport or at a dang amusement park, you would get stopped and not allowed through until you complied.

Why is this a continued battle? Either go through the check point or you do not get allowed onto the floor. It makes zero sense that Congress has different rules than regular society.

For goodness sake, wall up the area next to the metal detector, every person has to go through it. If it beeps you either have to leave or get patted down. Quit giving special status to Repub congress low lives.

[COL Mustard]

20. I Hope The Rule Is Written So

That the money comes directly from their paychecks and cannot be paid/repaid using office funds, campaign funds or other donations. I could see someone setting up a GoFundMe to cover these fines.

[housecat]

22. Silly me, I thought there were laws against carrying guns in government buildings.

So how does this sound -- make laws! Criminal charges might hurt more than fines.

[dreamland]

23. What are the chances that these gun nuts Congress critters aren't squirrelling

Away the gun by placing it outside the perimeter of congressional grounds to be retrieve by an opened window later or with some outside help? Just a conjecture, but if they want their guns that badly, they'll fine a way. Windows close the the grounds give the easiest accessibility judging from the bullhorn lady incident. Maybe I'm overthinking how zealous these people are.

[Marcuse]

24. Without an arrest or criminal charges the $5k is a license fee, not a fine.

George Floyd would have preferred to pay a fine.

[Nocturnowl]

26. Fined?

Okay. But I'd have vastly preferred "fired."

[djacq]

27. Nancy is not for the Play Play.

[Beachnutt]

28. Gohmert always brags of being a judge, he worked for one of the nations

most crooked counties under a crooked as hell District attorney named Jack Skeen (smith county justice by David Ellsworth) google it.
One of the state judges I forget which one died and George Bush governor at the time appointed gohmert to fill the seat so gohmert only became judge because he was a crooked bastard and bush saw it, he only finished that election cycle as a judge and was voted out but since he has used his judge appointment as a platform to run for congress and win.
the people of his district are mostly brain washed and have no idea of his history and tactics.
[link:https://www.chron.com/news/article/Win-at-all-costs-is-Smith-County-s-rule-1632942.php|

[link:https://www.houstonpress.com/news/justice-texas-style-read-about-it-while-you-can-6730449|

[BlueStater]

29. Gohmert is claiming Pelosi bypassed the detectors.

I hope he’s lying.

[ShepKat]

30. after the first time

After the first time is willful ignorance and neglect at least. 2 strikes you're out. Do not pass Go, do not collect your 5G

[invrabbit]

32. Did he?

Did he have his gun on him during the Capital invasion? If so ,why didn't he use it?

[bullimiami]

34. guns are prohibited, period. why the pussyfooting. if they bypass, search them.

they can refuse a search and leave.

or if they have prohibited items, arrest them.

[obamanut2012]

49. It is illegal to stop them

You cannot stop any member of Congress from entering their Chamber. Exiting, yes.

[TNNurse]

35. I thought Boebert had already been fined.

[Gore1FL]

39. She did the bypass, but it was before the rules were voted on and in place. nt

[FakeNoose]

40. Congressional aides need to be tested too

How many of them are making their aides carry their weapon while they go through the metal detector? You know, if the aide can sneak in the back door and thereby avoid the metal detector, they can slip the weapon back to their boss in a briefcase or something. I wouldn't put it past these people. The aides make way less money than their bosses (the Senators and Reps) do, but if they get caught and fined it comes out of their bosses' salary.

What really needs to be done is a TSA-style tunnel at the front entrance, and lock all the other doors with one-way locks. Nobody gets in unless they go through the metal detector, manned by the trained wanding agents. Examine all briefcases and pocketbooks, etc. just like at the airport. The technology is already available, and the TSA has trained people to do it.

The ridiculous gun-loving behavior of the GQP is making this necessary to secure the safety of our elected officials and their staff.

[NHvet]

41. They're grandstanding for attention

All federal buildings, airports, most state and city buildings, any courthouse I've been to, schools, NFL and MLB stadiums, concert venues, manufacturing plants, all have metal detectors. Many jobs require all to walk thru one just to work, the peoples reps should be no different.

[TomVilmer]

43. They will just raise NRA money to pay this ...

... only way this could be a punishment is to make the fees go directly to support the work for gun control.

[BumRushDaShow]

46. NRA filed for bankruptcy less than a month ago

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/business/nra-bankruptcy-new-york-texas/index.html

so they seem to be having their own "issues".

[ananda]

45. What happens with the 3rd plus offense?

Does it go up $5000 every time?

[BumRushDaShow]

47. It's $10,000 for each subsquent offense after the 1st

Engrossed in House (02/02/2021)


H. Res. 73



In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

February 2, 2021.

Resolved,

SECTION 1. Imposition of fines for failure to complete security screening for entrance to House chamber.

(a) Imposition by Sergeant-at-Arms.— (1) The Sergeant-at-Arms is authorized and directed to impose a fine against a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for failure to complete security screening for entrance to the House Chamber.

(2) A fine imposed pursuant to this resolution shall be $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for any subsequent offense.

(3) The Sergeant-at-Arms shall promptly notify in writing the Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner, the Speaker, the Committee on Ethics, and the Chief Administrative Officer of any fine under this subsection. Such notification shall include findings detailing the violation and shall also be made publicly available by the chair of the Committee on Ethics.

(b) Appeal to Committee on Ethics.— (1) The Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may appeal the fine imposed under subsection (a) in writing to the Committee on Ethics not later than 30 calendar days or five legislative days, whichever is later, after notification pursuant to subsection (a)(3). Such appeal shall include a response to the findings issued by the Sergeant-at-Arms pursuant to such paragraph.

(2) Upon receipt of an appeal pursuant to paragraph (1), the Committee on Ethics shall have a period of 30 calendar days or five legislative days, whichever is later, to consider the appeal. The fine will be upheld unless the appeal is agreed to by a majority of the Committee. Upon a determination regarding the appeal or if no appeal has been filed at the expiration of the period specified in paragraph (1), the chair of the Committee on Ethics shall promptly notify the Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner, the Speaker, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Chief Administrative Officer, and shall make such notification publicly available. The Speaker shall promptly lay such notification before the House.

(3) If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner files an appeal under paragraph (1) prior to the date on which the Committee on Ethics has adopted written rules, the period for the Committee’s consideration of the appeal under paragraph (2) shall begin on the date on which the chair of the Committee notifies the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner that the Committee has adopted such rules.

(c) Deducting fine from pay.— (1) If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner against whom a fine is imposed by the Sergeant-at-Arms under subsection (a) has not paid the fine prior to the expiration of the 90-calendar day period which begins on the date described in paragraph (2), the Chief Administrative Officer shall deduct the amount of the fine from the net salary otherwise due the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, in accordance with timetables and procedures established by the Committee on House Administration for purposes of carrying out this subsection.

(2) The date described in this paragraph is, with respect to a fine imposed on a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner—

(A) the date of the determination of the Committee on Ethics under subsection (b)(2); or

(B) if the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner does not file an appeal with the Committee on Ethics prior to the expiration of the period specified in subsection (b)(1), the first day after the expiration of such period.

(d) Prohibiting use of campaign or official funds To pay fines.—A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not use campaign funds or official funds, including amounts in the Members’ Representational Allowance, to pay a fine imposed under this resolution.

(e) Policies and procedures.—The Sergeant-at-Arms, Committee on Ethics, Committee on House Administration, and Chief Administrative Officer are authorized to establish policies and procedures for the implementation of this resolution.
Attest:





Clerk.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/73/text

[ananda]

52. Ok thanks. Well...

I wish there were something a bit more punitive after that,
but it's still something.

[BumRushDaShow]

53. Just the fact that they are actually "enforcing" use

is "punitive" for them as they are accustomed to just going around. When they first brought magnetometers into the federal building I used to work in before I retired (and it may have been after the Oklahoma City bombing but definitely would have been after 9/11), they waved us around them if we could show a federal ID badge (e.g. PIV card). However whenever I traveled to my HQ buildings in D.C. metro for meetings or training, *everyone* had to go through them.

[Judi Lynn]

50. Here's a publicity photo Rep. Andrew Clyde arranged, to impress the voters back home:

Adjusting those combat boots he wore before becoming elected. Him's a soldier, too!

- Inject Rudy Giuliani courtroom sound -

[bucolic_frolic]

55. It's a silent insurrection based on the creation of fear and intimidation

[keithbvadu2]

56. If he would skip this regulation,

would he skip the regulation about selling guns to terrorists?

[tavernier]

57. Aren't they fined for not wearing masks as well?

Because dangling a mask under your nose doesn’t count, Mr. Clyde.

[BarbD]

58. What and who are these gun-toting reps afraid of?

They feel the need of a gun because........
a) a Democrat may threaten them with words?
b) they are unable to get their way without threatening to shoot someone?
c) they are too insecure to attend to the nation's business without hardware?
d) they are afraid their gun loving base will shoot them?