On April 5, 2021, a eight-foot tall steel security fence continued to surround the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans and another officer were killed after being struck by a vehicle near the security perimeter.Thursday's approval by Congress of a $2.1 Billion spending bill would address security concerns at U.S. Capitol and support federal efforts to relocate Afghans who aided U.S forces during the war.The Senate passed it unanimously in a vote of 98 to 0, and the House later in a vote of 416 to 11. The measure now goes to President Joe Biden. He supported the measure in a Tuesday statement.On Tuesday, Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy from Vermont, the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, and Sen. Richard Shelby, the ranking Republican member, both announced the bipartisan spending deal.Tuesday's testimony by four police officers to the Jan. 6, House select committee was about the horrific violence they experienced during Jan. 6, 2017 insurrection at Capitol. This occurred when supporters of Donald Trump stormed into the Capitol to disrupt Biden’s electoral confirmation.Leahy stated Thursday that "we have to make an assertive statement of support for the officers who defended that building and all it stands for on this terrible day."The Capitol security budget includes approximately $1 billion to cover insurrection-related costs and ensure that the Capitol remains protected for the future.The amount includes about $100 million for Capitol Police. Without additional funds, Capitol Police was at risk of losing officers. There is also $500 million to reimburse National Guard for deployments to Capitol Hill.It also allocated $300 million to security measures at Capitol, including upgrades to windows, doors, and security cameras.The House passed a $1.9 billion separate security spending bill to respond to Jan. 6's insurrection. This bill provided approximately $44 million for Capitol Police.Leahy stated that the House bill did not include the creation a Rapid Response Force to Support Capitol Police.According to The New York Times, the Capitol insurrection resulted in the most serious injuries suffered by U.S. law enforcers since the terrorist attack on September 11.The Times reported that nearly 140 officers, 73 from Capitol Police and 65 from Metropolitan Police Department in Washington were hurt. There were a variety of injuries, including bruises, concussions and rib fractures."The U.S. Capitol has been under attack for six months." They responded heroically in the face of unprecedented adversity," Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said before the vote. We must now support them, just as they have so bravely supported us.
