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Questions about the personal security and safety of Members of Congress and their staffs have arisen in the aftermath of a January 8, 2011, attack in Tucson, Arizona, and following reports of an increase in the number of threats made against Members of Congress.
Four measures have been introduced in the 112th Congress to address issues related to violence against Members and congressional staff. On January 19, 2011, Representative Robert A. Brady introduced H.R. 318 to amend title 18, United States Code, to punish threats to commit violent crimes against Members of Congress. On January 20, 2011, Representative Laura Richardson introduced H.R. 367, the Freedom to Serve Without Fear Act of 2011, which would prohibit the knowing possession of a firearm near a venue at which a Member of Congress is performing official duties or campaigning for public office. On February 18, 2011, Representative Jim Gerlach introduced H.R. 815, the Justice for Public Servants Act of 2011, which would make the killing of a Member of Congress an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations. Representative Dan Burton introduced H.Res. 50, to provide for enclosing the visitors' galleries of the House with a clear and bomb-proof material on January 24, 2011.
Since 1789, available information from official and private sources suggests that there have been at least 21 instances of attacks involving 24 Members who were targeted by assailants. There have been 12,018 individuals who have served as Representatives or Senators since 1789. In 11 instances, the attacks were thwarted, or resulted in no serious injuries to Members. Another three incidents resulted in wounds to seven Members. Finally, seven instances resulted in the deaths of seven Members.
In at least five of the incidents of attacks on Members, some congressional staff were also affected. Four of the incidents resulted in the wounding of congressional staff. Two incidents, a 1998 event in which a gunman entered the Capitol, and the Tucson shooting on January 8, 2011, resulted in fatalities to two congressional law enforcement personnel and one civilian employee of the House, respectively.
Questions about personal security and safety for Members of Congress and their staffs have arisen in the aftermath of a January 8, 2011, attack in Tucson, Arizona, in which a congressional staff member and several constituents were killed, and a Member and a number of others, including other congressional staff, were critically injured. Concerns have also arisen following reports of an increase in the number of threats against Members of Congress.1 This report describes legislation introduced in the 112th Congress related to violence against Members and congressional staff, provides examples of violence in which Members of Congress were the apparent target, and some actions Congress has taken based in part on those incidents.
On January 19, 2011, Representative Robert A. Brady introduced H.R. 318 to amend title 18, United States Code, to punish threats to commit violent crimes against Members of Congress. According to a Dear Colleague letter issued by Representative Brady, the measure would extend prohibitions of threats against the President, Vice President, Presidents-elect, and Vice Presidents-elect to Members of Congress and Members-elect of Congress.2 H.R. 318 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, which referred it to the subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
On January 20, 2011, Representative Laura Richardson introduced H.R. 367, the Freedom to Serve Without Fear Act of 2011. The measure would prohibit the knowing possession of a firearm near a venue at which a Member of Congress is performing an official, representational duty, or campaigning for public office. The measure would also encourage states to adopt prohibitions similar to federal law to protect state and local elected and appointed officials. H.R. 367 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, which referred it to the subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
On February 28, 2011, Representative Jim Gerlach introduced H.R. 815, the Justice for Public Servants Act of 2011. The measure would amend the federal criminal code to make the killing of a Member of Congress or congressional employee, or the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer or other first responder, an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations. H.R. 815 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, which referred it to the subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
Representative Dan Burton introduced H.Res. 50, to provide for enclosing the visitors' galleries of the House with a clear and bomb-proof material on January 24, 2011. In addition, the measure would provide for the installation of audio equipment to allow floor proceedings to be audible in the galleries. H.Res. 50 was referred to the committee on House Administration. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
Since 1789, 12,018 individuals have served in Congress;3 10,742 in the House and 1,931 in the Senate.4 Official records, supplemented from available news accounts,5 suggest that there have been at least 21 instances of attacks6 involving 24 Members7 who were targeted by assailants. In 11 instances, the attacks were thwarted, or resulted in no serious injuries to Members. Another three incidents resulted in the wounding of seven Members. Finally, seven instances resulted in the deaths of seven Members.
Official records, supplemented from available news accounts, suggest that there have been at least 20 instances of attacks against Members since 1789. In 10 instances, the attacks failed, were thwarted, or resulted in no serious injuries to Members. Another five incidents resulted in the wounding of at least nine Members. Finally, five instances each resulted in the death of a Member. In these examples, it appears that individual Members were targeted on 17 occasions. There have been three incidents in which more than one Member was targeted, including the Alexandria attack. In some of the incidents of attacks on Members or in the Capitol, including the Alexandria incident, some congressional staff were also affected. Two incidents resulted in fatalities, including a 1998 incident in which a gunman entered the Capitol and killed two USCP officers, and a 2011 shooting at a congressional event in Tucson, Arizona, which resulted in the death of a congressional staff member. On a number of occasions, incidents of violence involving Members of Congress or congressional staff have led to congressional legislative or administrative responses changing policy and practice. These include a ban on dueling or challenging to duel within the District of Columbia; the enactment of law making it a federal offense to assassinate, kidnap, or assault a Member of Congress or Member-elect; and the initiation of congressional mail screening. In the 115th Congress (2017-2018), several legislative proposals have been introduced related to potential response to violence against Members of Congress or their staffs. Citing concerns about Member security in the House and in district offices, the House on June 27, 2017, adopted H.Res. 411 to increase the 2017 Member Representational Allowance for each House Member office by $25,000. H.R. 3298, the Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017, was enacted into law on August, 4, 2017, as P.L. 117-45. The law authorizes the payments from the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund to USCP employees who sustain serious injuries in the line-of-duty. Other related measures have also been introduced, including H.R. 2940, the Congressional Self-Defense Act; H.R. 2945, the Congressional Personal Safety Act; and H.R. 2951, to allow Members of Congress to carry a concealed handgun anywhere in the United States, with exceptions. If enacted, the measures would allow Members of Congress to carry concealed weapons subject to different qualifications and limitations. In addition to legislative proposals, various administrative efforts were undertaken in response to the Alexandria shooting, including an advisory opinion from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regarding the use of campaign funds by Members of the House for residential security systems, and an update to the Members' Congressional Handbook to provide additional guidance for updating security equipment and measures. Questions about the personal security and safety of Members of Congress and their staffs are of enduring concern for the House, Senate, and the United States Capitol Police (USCP). Broader interest in the media and among the public arises in the aftermath of incidents such as the June 14, 2017, attack on at least 17 Members of Congress,1 several staff, USCP officers, and members of the public in Alexandria, Virginia. In that incident, a Member was critically wounded, and others, including other Members,2 a congressional staffer, USCP officers, and a member of the public were injured during a shooting that occurred as Members were practicing for an annual congressional baseball game. There is concern about the level and extent of threats against Members.3 In a mid-June, 2017 letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), House Sergeant at Arms (HSAA) Paul D. Irving stated that USCP had investigated approximately 950 threatening communications against Members of Congress since January 1, 2017, and compared that total to what he stated were 902 similar investigations occurring in all of 2016.4 Since consistent, more detailed threat information is not publicly available, however, it cannot be determined whether the number of threats against Members and congressional staff has increased, decreased, or remained the same over longer periods of time. In these examples, it appears that individual Members were targeted on 17 occasions. There have been three incidents in which more than one Member was targeted. These include the Alexandria attack, in which at least 17 Members were present, a 2001 biologic attack directed at two Senators, but affecting numerous other Members and staff in the Hart and Dirksen Senate Office Buildings, and a 1954 shooting in the House chamber where a quorum call had registered the presence of 243 Representatives just prior to the incident.8In these examples, individual Members were sometimes the target of violence. In others, Members or congressional staff may have been secondary targets in attacks that targeted Congress or other components of the U.S. government. This report excludes Members who participated in wars as combatants, or circumstances when Members attempted or committed suicide. Severalare of enduring concern for the House, Senate, and the United States Capitol Police (USCP). Broader interest in the media and among the public arises in the aftermath of incidents such as the June 14, 2017, attack on at least 17 Members of Congress, several staff, USCP officers, and members of the public in Alexandria, Virginia. In that incident, a Member was critically wounded, and others were injured during a shooting that occurred as Members were practicing for an annual congressional baseball game.
other instances, in which some Members voluntarily initiated violent activities, including duels, fistfights, beatings,8 and other conflicts,9 sometimes with other Members, are excluded from consideration. Also excluded are incidents in which the Capitol was attacked, but no Members or staff were reported as injured. Examples include the burning of the Capitol during the War of 1812; the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in which the Capitol and Congress may have been a target; and bombings in the Capitol in 1915, 1971, and 1983.10 A final group of exclusions includes incidents in which Members were involved in violent activities or killed, but the circumstances do not appear related to their roles as Members.11
In some of the incidents of attacks on Members or in the Capitol, including the Alexandria incident, some congressional staff were also affected. Two incidents resulted in fatalities. In 1998, a gunman entered the Capitol, and made his way to the Majority Whip's office, although it is unknown whether the Whip was a target. Two USCP officers, Private First Class Jacob Chestnut, and Detective John Gibson, were killed while responding to the incident. A 2011 shooting at a congressional event in Tucson, Arizona, resulted in the death of a congressional staff member, Gabriel Matthew Zimmerman.In at least five of the incidents of attacks on Members, some congressional staff were also affected13
Violence Against Congressional Staff
a 1978 incident, Jackie Speier, a staff member working for Representative Leo Joseph Ryan of California, was critically wounded by gunfire in an attack in Guyana. Representative Ryan was killed in the attack. Two incidents, a 1998 event in which a gunman entered the Capitol, and the Tucson shooting, resulted in fatalities to two congressional law enforcement personnel, and one civilian employee of the House, respectivelythe 1954 House chamber shooting, two House doorkeepers suffered injuries. Matthew Fardella was struck in the jaw while subduing the shooters. William Belcher suffered a heart attack following the attack. In a 1978 incident, Jackie Speier, then a staff member working for Representative Leo Joseph Ryan of California, who now serves as a Representative, was critically wounded by gunfire in an attack in Guyana. Representative Ryan was killed in the attack.
Identifying instances of violence against congressional staff poses significant challenges. Because they are private citizens who do not receive extensive, sustained public attention, there is no assurance that all instances of violence against them can be identified. Violence against staff that is reported here happened in the course of their official duties. Identifying all who have served Congress in a staff capacity, and then identifying whether they have suffered violence during that service, presents all but insurmountable obstacles to compiling an exhaustive and authoritative inventory of violent incidents. A consequence of these challenges is that the material presented here cannot with authority be said to comprise all of the attacks on Members of Congress or staff that have ever occurred.
An example of the difficulties presented in chronicling violence against staff is the death of Harold W. "Hal" Rosenthal, a Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff member. As noted in Table 1, Mr. Rosenthal was killed during an August 11, 1976, terrorist attack at an airport in Istanbul, Turkey. It cannot be determined if the attackers were aware of Mr. Rosenthal's status as a congressional employee. Although contemporary news reports and congressional statements state that Mr. Rosenthal was overseas on official congressional business to Israel,1214 the lack of official records of staff activity render it virtually impossible to determine if Mr. Rosenthal died in Istanbul while in the course of his official duties.
Table 1 summarizes incidents of violence directed against Members or congressional staff. This material should be interpreted with care. Although they have high profiles, and any incident of violence against them is likely to engender considerable attention in contemporary times, it is possible that some incidents of violence involving Members have not been captured. It is also possible that available sources, whether official or non-official, provide limited1315 or conflicting accounts of a Member's involvement in violent activities.14
On at least three; Policy Changes, Prior Initiatives, and Current Legislation
In the aftermath of some violent incidents against Members and staff, policy proposals and legislation have been considered. On a number of occasions, incidents of violence involving Members of Congress or congressional staff have led to congressional legislative or administrative responses. These include
Some violent incidents in which Members may not have been the direct target have also led in part to congressional action. The 1971 and 1983 Capitol bombings were reportedly some of the reasons for the introduction of visitor screening around the chamber galleries, and Capitol entrances, respectively. The attacks of September 11, 2001, were a contributing factor in increases to the number of USCP officers and staff, expedited deployment of a security perimeter planned prior to the attacks, and appropriations funding construction of the Capitol Visitor Center. 21 Other instances of violence against Members and staff have resulted in discussions of various policy proposals. The focus of the proposals have varied, but include attempts to enhance security in the House chamber, expand the criminal penalties for committing violence against Members and staff, or restrict the number of firearms in proximity to Members as they conduct their official and electoral activities. Following a 1932 incident noted at footnote 7 in which a gunman in the House gallery demanded the opportunity to address the House before surrendering his weapon without incident, Representative Thomas Lindsay Blanton of Texas stated that "…in order to protect the orderly procedure in…" the House, "no one … should be admitted to the gallery of this [c]hamber unless he comes properly vouched for and with a proper purpose...," and that "all this countenancing of cranks and crooks ought to stop. An anarchist has no business in a gallery of this Capitol of the people."22 No change to rules governing access to House galleries was identified. In the aftermath of shootings in the House in 1954, in which gunmen fired from the galleries into the floor, wounding five Members and two staff, proposals to install transparent shields between visitors' galleries and the House floor were discussed,23 but no legislative action was taken.Other instances of violence against Members have resulted in discussions of policy proposals. In the wake of an incident in 1932, in which a gunman in the House gallery demanded the opportunity to address the House before surrendering the weapon without incident, Representative Thomas Lindsay Blanton of Texas reportedly demanded that the "galleries be closed to 'cranks' and 'anarchists.'"19 No change to rules governing access to House galleries was identified. Following shootings in the House in 1954, in which gunmen fired from the galleries into the Members on the floor, wounding five, proposals to install transparent shields between visitors' galleries and the House floor were discussed,20 but no action was taken. Several decades later, in response to House gallery disturbances, and an incident in the British Parliament,212022
Following the 2011 Tucson shooting, a number of legislative proposals were introduced in the 112th Congress (2011-2012). Representative Robert A. Brady of Pennsylvania introduced H.R. 318 to amend title 18, United States Code, to punish threats to commit violent crimes against Members of Congress. According to a Dear Colleague letter issued by Representative Brady, the measure would have extended prohibitions of threats against the President, Vice President, Presidents-elect, and Vice Presidents-elect to Members of Congress and Members-elect of Congress.25 Representative Laura Richardson of California introduced H.R. 367, the Freedom to Serve Without Fear Act of 2011. The measure would have prohibited the knowing possession of a firearm near a venue at which a Member of Congress was performing an official, representational duty, or campaigning for public office. The measure would also have encouraged states to adopt prohibitions similar to federal law to protect state and local elected and appointed officials. Representative Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania introduced H.R. 815, the Justice for Public Servants Act of 2011. The measure would have amended the federal criminal code to make the killing of a Member of Congress or congressional employee, or the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer or other first responder, an aggravating factor in death penalty determinations. Representative Dan Burton introduced H.Res. 50, which would have provided for enclosing the visitors' galleries of the House with a clear and bomb-proof material; the measure would have provided for the installation of equipment to allow floor proceedings to be audible in the galleries. The measures were referred to various committees and subcommittees for consideration; no further action was taken.
No proposals related to violence against Members and their staffs were introduced in the 113th or 114th Congresses.
Legislative Proposals, 115th CongressIn the 115th Congress (2017-2018) several legislative proposals have been introduced related to potential response to violence against Members of Congress or their staff.
H.Res. 411On June 27, 2017, Representative Gregg Harper of Mississippi, chair of the Committee on House Administration, introduced H.Res. 411, adjusting the amount of the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA). Citing concerns about Member security in the House and in district offices, the measure increased the 2017 MRA for each House Member office by $25,000.26 H.Res. 411 was agreed to without objection on June 27, 2017.
H.R. 2940On June 20, 2017, Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama introduced H.R. 2940, the Congressional Self-Defense Act. As introduced, the measure would authorize a Member of Congress carrying appropriate identification, and who is not otherwise prohibited, to carry a concealed firearm in the U.S. Capitol subject to the regulations of the U.S. Capitol Police Board (USCP Board),27 and anywhere else in the United States, except where the U.S. Secret Service is protecting the President or Vice President and prohibits the possession of a firearm.
H.R. 2940 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, which referred the measure to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on July 10, 2017. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
H.R. 2945On June 20, 2017, Representative Jody Hice of Georgia introduced H.R. 2945, the Congressional Personal Safety Act. As introduced, the measure would authorize a Member of Congress carrying appropriate identification to carry a firearm for any lawful purpose in any state, or in the Capitol buildings other than the U.S. Capitol.28
H.R. 2945 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, which referred the measure to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on July 10, 2017. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
H.R. 2951One June 20, 2017, Representative Brian Babin of Texas introduced H.R. 2951, to allow Members of Congress to carry a concealed handgun anywhere in the United States, with exceptions. As introduced, the measure would authorize a Member of Congress carrying appropriate identification, to whom a state or USCP has issued a license or permit to carry a concealed handgun, and who is not otherwise prohibited, to carry a concealed firearm anywhere in the United States, except the White House, or wherever the U.S. Secret Service prohibits the possession of a firearm. The measure would authorize the USCP chief to issue a license or permit to carry a concealed handgun to a Member of Congress in accordance with such terms, conditions, and criteria the chief establishes.
Additionally, H.R. 2951 would restrict Members from carrying firearms on an air carrier unless they complete the Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO) program established by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).29 The measure would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to make FFDO training available at the request of a Member.
H.R. 2951 would authorize Members of House to use official funds from the Member Representational Allowance (MRA), and Senators to use official funds from the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account, to pay for firearms training programs.
H.R. 2951 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and, in addition, to the Committees on House Administration, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. The Committee on Homeland Security referred the measure to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security on June 28, 2017, and the Committee on the Judiciary referred it to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on July 10, 2017. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
H.R. 3298On July 19, 2017, Representative Joe Linus Barton of Texas introduced H.R. 3298, the Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017. The measure would authorize the USCP Board to make payments from the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund30 to USCP employees who sustain serious injuries in the line-of-duty, including USCP officers injured in the Alexandria shooting, subject to conditions established by the USCP Board by regulation. The measure was passed by the House under suspension of the rules by voice vote on July 24, 2017. The Senate passed H.R. 3298 with an amendment by unanimous consent on July 27, 2017, which the House agreed to without objection on the same day. H.R. 3298 was enacted into law on August 4, 2017, as P.L. 117-45.31
S. 1608On July 20, 2017, Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona introduced S. 1608, the Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017. An apparent companion bill to H.R. 3298, the measure would authorize the USCP Board to make payments from the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund to USCP employees who sustain serious injuries in the line-of-duty, including USCP officers injured in the Alexandria shooting, subject to conditions established by the USCP Board by regulation. S. 1608 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. No further action has been taken at the time of this writing.
Other Actions, 115th CongressIn addition to legislative proposals, various administrative efforts were undertaken in response to the Alexandria shooting, including the following.
Table 1. Violence Against Members of Congress and Congressional Staff: Selected Examples
|
Incident |
Members or Congressional Staff Affected |
Date Armed with a rifle and sidearm, a gunman opened fire in Alexandria, Virginia at a number of Republican Members and staff practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Representative Scalise and a member of the public sustained gunshot wounds and were gravely injured; Mr. Barth was shot and wounded. Special Agent Griner was shot and seriously injured while responding to the shooter; Special Agent Bailey sustained shrapnel wounds. Other Members and staff sustained minor injuries. | Circumstances |
|
Shooting January 8, 2011 |
Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona |
January 8, 2011 | A gunman opened fire at a congressional event in Tucson. Mr. Zimmerman and five others were killed. Representative Giffords, Mr. Barber, Ms. Simon, and at least nine others were wounded. Subsequently, Representative Giffords resigned from the House on January 25, 2012, to continue recovery from her injuries. |
|
Biologic Attack October, 2001 |
Senator Patrick Leahy, Vermont | October, 2001 |
The offices of the two Senators received letters that contained anthrax spores. The Office of Attending Physician instituted extensive testing of Members, staff, and visitors in the affected buildings, and administered prophylactic antibiotics. No Members or staff were sickened. |
|
Shooting July 24, 1998 |
Private First Class Jacob Chestnut, | July 24, 1998 |
Russell Eugene Weston |
|
Assault October 25, 1989 |
Senator John Herschel Glenn |
October 25, 1989 | Punched on the chin during a television interview, but not seriously injured. |
|
Knife Wielding |
Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, Massachusetts |
November 28, 1979 | A woman brandishing a knife entered Senator Kennedy's office on Capitol Hill. She was seized by agents of the United States Secret Service after a brief struggle in which one agent was slightly wounded. |
|
Grenade Attack |
Harold W. "Hal" Rosenthal, congressional staff |
August 11, 1976 | Mr. Rosenthal and others were killed during a failed hijacking attempt at an airport in Istanbul, Turkey. |
|
Shooting November 18, 1978 |
Representative Leo Joseph Ryan, California |
November 18, 1978 | Representative Ryan and four others were killed in Guyana by members of a religious cult. Ms. Speier, who currently serves as a Member of the House, was shot five times, and critically wounded. |
|
Assault January 2, 1975 |
Senator Charles McCurdy Mathias |
January 2, 1975 | Mr. Young was briefly held at knifepoint by an individual seeking casework assistance. He escaped without injury and the individual was arrested. |
|
Assassination |
Senator Robert Francis Kennedy, New York | June 6, 1968 |
Shot in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination, and died the next day. |
|
Shooting March 1, 1954 |
Representative Clifford Davis, Tennessee | March 1, 1954 |
Three armed assailants who advocated for the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party opened fire on the House floor from the visitors' gallery. Five Members were shot, It was reported that Mr. Fardella, a House doorkeeper, was struck in the jaw while helping to subdue the shooters. Mr. Belcher sustained a heart attack soon after the event. Both men recovered. |
|
Shooting July 12, 1947 |
Senator John William Bricker, Ohio |
July 12, 1947 | Two rounds were fired at, and missed, Senator Bricker in the Senate Office Building by a former officer in the United States Capitol Police. |
|
Assassination |
Senator Huey Pierce Long, Louisiana |
September 8, 1935 | Shot in the State Capitol Building in Baton Rouge. Died September 10. |
|
Attempted Bombing February 19, 1935 |
Senator Huey Pierce Long, Louisiana |
February 19, 1935 | A bomb was mailed to Senator Long's Washington office. Damaged in the mail, it did not explode when opened by Mr. Christenberry. |
|
Attempted Bombing June 22, 1933 |
Representative Charles A. Eaton, New Jersey |
June 22, 1933 | A device containing dynamite and nitroglycerin was placed in the vehicle of Representative Eaton at his home. An employee discovered the bomb and neutralized it. |
|
Bombing March 26, 1928 |
Senator Charles Samuel Deneen | March 26, 1928 |
The home of Senator Deneen was damaged by a bootlegger, but no one was hurt. |
|
Attempted Bombing April-May, 1919a |
Representative John L. Burnett, Alabama |
April-May, 1919a | Part of a larger effort against local state and federal officials in which bombs were sent through the mail. The device intended for Representative Burnett was held by the Post Office for insufficient postage. |
|
Assault April 2, 1919 |
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Massachusetts |
April 2, 1919 |
|
|
|
Representative John M. Pinckney, Texas |
April 24, 1905 | At a mass meeting in Hempstead, Texas, to petition the governor to enforce state liquor laws, several participants opened fire. Representative Pinckney was killed, and Mr. Thompkins severely wounded. |
|
Assault April 7, 1905 |
Representative Robert Young Thomas | April 7, 1905 |
Assaulted by a political opponent angered by his remarks. |
|
Assassination |
Representative Thomas Haughey | August 5, 1869 |
Killed while making a political speech in Courtland, Alabama. |
|
Assassination |
Representative James Hinds, Arkansas |
October 22, 1868 | Reportedly shot by a drunken party committee member. |
|
Patricide |
Representative Cornelius Hamilton, Ohio |
March 4, 1867 |
Killed by son who had exhibited signs of mental illness. |
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp; American National Biography, http://www.anb.org/articles/index.html; The National Cyclopedia of American Biography; U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, To Make it a Federal Offense to Assassinate, Kidnap, or Assault a Member of Congress or a Member-of-Congress-Elect, S. 642, 91st Cong., 2nd sess., September 29, 1970, 91-1249 (Washington: GPO, 1970); H.Res. 32, 112th Congress; and news and historical accounts of the incidents.
a. a. Numerous packages were sent as part of a larger plot. It could not be determined with accuracy when the package was sent to Representative Burnett, or when it was stopped at the Post Office.
Author Contact Information
Acknowledgments
Christina Miracle Bailey, Senior Research Librarian, Maeve P. Carey, SpecialistAcknowledgments
Maeve Carey, Analyst in Government Organization and Management, and [author name scrubbed]R. Sam Garrett, Specialist in American National Government, provided technical and research support.
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| 2. |
Robert A. Brady, "Help Prevent Violent Threats Against Members of Congress," Dear Colleague Letter, January 20, 2011, http://e-dearcolleague.house.gov/details.aspx?49890. |
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| 3. | Among those who sustained minor injuries, one Member was treated for an ankle injury, while others reportedly sustained bruises and abrasions seeking shelter during the shooting. See Federal Bureau of Investigation, "Joint Statement on Shooting in Alexandria, Virginia," press release, June 14, 2017, https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/washingtondc/news/press-releases/joint-statement-on-shooting-in-alexandria-virginia; and Kyle Cheney, Heather Caygle, and Elana Schor, "Somebody's Trying to Kill Me," Politico Magazine, June 17, 2017, at http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/17/shooting-scalise-congressional-baseball-game-practice-oral-history-215269. Matthew Daly, "Increasing Threats unnerve lawmakers rattled by shooting," Washington Post, June 17, 2017, at http://wapo.st/2sbLr1u?tid=ss_mail&utm_term=.a56ec8f51e28; Harriet Sinclair, "Scalise Shooting Prompts Lawmakers to fight for better security as politicians admit they face threats," Newsweek, June 15, 2017, at http://www.newsweek.com/scalise-shooting-security-guns-hodgkinson-trump-baseball-cedric-richmond-626397; and Lisa Mascaro, "Members of Congress say they have faced death threats, want more security," Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2017, at http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-members-of-congress-face-death-threats-1497471038-htmlstory.html. Letter from Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms, House of Representatives, to Steven T. Walther, Chairman, Federal Election Commission, June 21, 2017, https://www.fec.gov/files/legal/aos/83377.pdf. HSAA is the chief law enforcement official for the House, but USCP exercises law enforcement, security, and investigative duties for both the House and Senate. It is unclear whether the number of investigations of threatening communications described in the letter targeted Members of the House alone, or included Senators. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Official records and news accounts may not identify all instances in which a Member of Congress was involved in violent circumstances. |
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There are also several examples of unsuccessful attempted attacks, including the escape of Representative Charles Pelham of North Carolina, who in the late summer of 1874 was reportedly compelled to escape his district after learning that a group of citizens who disagreed with some of his policy positions had assembled, allegedly to attempt to kill him. See "Terrorism in the South," New York Times, September 1, 1874, p. 1. In another example, Martin R. Kemmerer, on December 13, 1932, brandished a hand gun in the House gallery, and without appearing to target anyone, demanded the opportunity to speak. Kemmerer obeyed the demand of Representative Melvin Joseph Maas of Minnesota to drop his weapon to the floor, and was subdued by two visitors and Representative Fiorello La Guardia, of New York, who entered the gallery behind the gunman while Representative Maas, who caught the loaded weapon, and Representative Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts assured other |
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| 8. |
For example, an assault on Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts on the Senate floor on May 22, 1856. Two days before, Senator Sumner delivered a floor speech denouncing the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Representative Preston Smith Brooks of South Carolina saw the speech as a libel on his state and on Senator Andrew Pickens Butler of South Carolina, to whom Mr. Brooks was related. Representative Brooks beat Senator Sumner with a cane, causing injuries from which it took the Senator three years to recover and return to Congress. |
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| 9. |
See Donald C. Bacon, "Violence in Congress," in The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress, ed. Donald C. Bacon, Roger H. Davidson, and Morton Keller (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995), pp.2062-2066. Specific examples of gun use by members before and during their congressional service is available in "Gun-Fighters in Congress," The Washington Post, April 26, 1908, p. M4. |
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| 10. | Representative Cornelius Hamilton of Ohio was killed on March 4, 1867, by his son, who had exhibited signs of mental illness. See http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000106. Senator John Cornelius Stennis of Mississippi was shot twice in 1973 during a successful robbery that occurred near his Washington, DC home, reportedly by a group of assailants who had allegedly perpetrated similar crimes against others, and who were unaware of who the Senator was. Martin Weil, "Sen. Stennis is shot in robbery near home: Sen. Stennis badly wounded in robbery near his NW home," Washington Post, January 31, 1973, p. A1; "Sen. Stennis shot, robbed," Chicago Tribune, January 31, 1973, p. A1. News reports at the time identified three other attempted robberies of Members in the Washington, DC area, including separate 1969 incidents against Senator Leonard Beck (Len) Jordan of Idaho, and Senator Harrison Arlington Williams Jr., of New Jersey, and a 1972 hold up in which Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin reportedly avoided serious injury by telling his assailants a false story that he was about to die of cancer. Barkdoll, R, "Stennis shooting fuels debate on gun curbs, capital crime," Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1973, p. A1. Other examples include a Member who was mugged, apparently at random; another incident during which a Member had a gun pointed at him; and the death of Representative Lawrence Patton McDonald of Georgia, who was killed in the mid-flight destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 007 by the Soviet military over the Sea of Japan on September 1, 1983. See Donald P. Baker and Alfred E. Lewis, "Rep. Michel, Minority Whip, Is Assaulted on Capitol Hill," Washington Post, July 22, 1978, p. A1; Martin Weil, "2 Kidnapped, Gun Pointed at Rep Long," July 23, 1974, p. C1; and http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000413. See Donald C. Bacon, "Violence in Congress," in Encyclopedia of the United States Congress, ed. Donald C. Bacon, Roger H. Davidson, and Morton Keller (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995), pp. 2062-2066. Specific examples of gun use by Members before and during their congressional service is available in "Gun-Fighters in Congress," Washington Post, April 26, 1908, p. M4. For example, an assault on Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts on the Senate floor on May 22, 1856. Two days before, Senator Sumner delivered a floor speech denouncing the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Representative Preston Smith Brooks of South Carolina saw the speech as a libel on his state and on Senator Andrew Pickens Butler of South Carolina, to whom Mr. Brooks was related. Representative Brooks beat Senator Sumner with a cane, causing injuries from which it took the Senator three years to recover and return to Congress. |
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| 11. |
Examples include a Member who was mugged, apparently at random; another incident during which a Member had a gun pointed at him; and the death of Representative Lawrence Patton McDonald of Georgia, who was killed in the mid-flight destruction of Korean Air Lines flight 007 by the Soviet military over the Sea of Japan on September 1, 1983. See Donald P. Baker and Alfred E. Lewis, "Rep. Michel, Minority Whip, Is Assaulted on Capitol Hill," The Washington Post, July 22, 1978, p. A1; Martin Weil, "2 Kidnapped, Gun Pointed at Rep Long," July 23, 1974, p. C1; and http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000413. |
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See "Javits Condemns Terrorists in Death of Aide in Istanbul," Washington Post, August 13, 1976, p. A7; Senator Jacob Javits, "Senate Resolution 524—Submission of a resolution regarding the recent terrorist attack at Istanbul Airport," Remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, August 26, 1976, Vol. 122, p. 27924; |
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For example, the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress states that Representative Cornelius Springer Hamilton was "killed by an insane son," but provides no other detail. See http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000106. |
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For example, some sources suggest that Delegate Henry Wharton |
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Chap. XXX (United States Statutes at Large), February 20, 1839, 5 Stat. 318. |
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18 U.S.C. 351. In Senate debate of S. 642, 91st Congress, Senator Robert Carlyle Byrd of West Virginia stated that he "first introduced this bill shortly after the untimely assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy." Senator Byrd stated that the measure was modeled on previously enacted legislation making it a federal offense to assassinate the President or Vice President. Senator Robert Carlyle Byrd, "Congressional Assassination, Kidnapping and Assault," Congressional Record, vol. 116 (October 8, 1970), p. 35655. |
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Senator Kennedy was killed in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000114. |
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Jocelyn Jones Evans, One Nation Under Siege: Congress, Terrorism, and the Fate of American Democracy (Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky, 2010), pp. 79-108. |
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"Blanton Demands House Protection," The Washington Post, December 15, 1932, p. 2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20. |
Richard L. Lyons, "Bulletproof Glass Urged for Congress," The Washington Post, March 4, 1954, p. 3. |
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| 21. |
"Commons Powder Attack on Blair," CNN, May 19, 2004, http://articles.cnn.com/2004-05-19/world/uk.parliament.powder_1_commons-lords-powder?_s=PM:WORLD. |
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| 22. | Rep. Thomas Lindsay Blanton, House debate, Congressional Record, vol. 76, part 1 (December 14, 1932), p. 432; and "Blanton Demands House Protection," Washington Post, December 15, 1932, p. 2. Richard L. Lyons, "Bulletproof Glass Urged for Congress," Washington Post, March 4, 1954, p. 3. "Blair hit during Commons protest," BBC News, May 19, 2004, at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_politics/3728617.stm. The powdery substance was determined to be blue corn flour, and no Members of Parliament or staff were injured. Robert A. Brady, "Help Prevent Violent Threats Against Members of Congress," Dear Colleague Letter, January 20, 2011, http://e-dearcolleague.house.gov/details.aspx?49890. For more information on the MRA, see CRS Report R40962, Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage, by Ida A. Brudnick. The USCP Board, composed of HSAA, the Senate Sergeant at Arms (SSAA), and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), oversees USCP. As used in H.R. 2945, Capitol buildings include House or Senate office buildings, the Capitol Power Plant, Library of Congress buildings, and Capitol grounds. See Transportation Security Administration, "Federal flight deck officer training," at https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2015/12/14/federal-flight-deck-officer-training. The United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund was originally established to collect and disburse donated funds to the families of two USCP officers, Private First Class Jacob Chestnut, and Detective John Gibson, who were killed in the line of duty on July 24, 1998 (2 U.S.C. 1951). P.L. 115-45, Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017, 131 Stat. 956. Letter from Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms, House of Representatives, to Steven T. Walther, Chairman, Federal Election Commission, June 21, 2017, https://www.fec.gov/files/legal/aos/83377.pdf. Federal Election Commission, AO 2017-07, Sergeant at Arms, July 13, 2017, https://www.fec.gov/files/legal/aos/83386.pdf. Representative Gregg Harper and Representative Robert A. Brady, "Update to the Members' Congressional Handbook," e-dear colleague letter, June 29, 2017, https://e-dearcolleague.house.gov/SendWorkspace/Preview?DCID=215387. |