By: Associated Press
The chief of the U.S. Capitol Police told lawmakers Wednesday it was his recommendation to move forward with a phased-in reopening of the U.S. Capitol as his agency works to overcome attrition after the January 6 insurrection and hiring delays because of the pandemic.
The testimony before a House subcommittee underscores that persistent security concerns are playing a major role in restricting the public’s access to the Capitol, an increasingly sore point with lawmakers from both parties who are urging a return to normalcy after two years of restrictions.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger said the department doesn’t have the personnel to staff the number of posts deemed necessary to secure the Capitol and adjacent offices. Additional posts were added after Jan. 6.
“I regret we’re the chokepoint, we’re the problem in terms of getting it reopened fully,” Manger said.
The Capitol saw a return of more visitors this week with congressional offices limited to leading one tour weekly. The adjacent Capitol Visitor Center would reopen for limited numbers of people on May 30.
“By the end of the summer, my hope is that we can do a little bit more,” Manger said.
Hundreds of officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department responded to the Jan. 6 attack and dozens of them were beaten and injured as the mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters pushed past them to break into the building and interrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory. Read more at Fox 5.
