James Love: “I appreciate the opportunity to speak about my proposed amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. My…”

“I appreciate the opportunity to speak about my proposed amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. My amendment will have zero budgetary impact, and the intent is to merely advocate for the expansion of permissible uses of the MRA funds that have already been designated for Member security. Currently, the Appropriations Committee has provided MRA resources in the amount of $25,000 per Member for providing Member security away from the Capitol complex; however, this money may not be currently spent on security at a Member's private residence. In the current environment, however, many Members, myself included, have faced threats that extend to our homes and our families. For me, that included a person putting my address on Facebook and Twitter with a statement that stated: ``We've signed your death certificate. You won't see us coming.'' In fact, in recognition of this disturbing trend, a recent FEC advisory opinion held that the campaign funds may be used, ``. . . to install or upgrade residential security systems that do not constitute structural improvements to a Members' homes.'' My amendment proposes that MRA funds for Member security may be used in this same way. We do not face these threats because we are candidates for office but because we are sitting Members of Congress. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond), my colleague from Louisiana's Second Congressional District.”