HOUSE OKS BOOST IN SECURITY FOR JUSTICES
Man arrested near Kavanaugh’s house added urgency
The House gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that would allow around-theclock security protection for families of Supreme Court justices, one week after a man carrying a gun, knife and zip ties was arrested near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house after threatening to kill the justice.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously last month, but it languished in the House as Democrats sought to broaden the measure to include protection for families of court employees. Republicans ramped up pressure to pass the bill after the arrest at Kavanaugh’s house, asserting that Democrats were essentially trying to intimidate the justices as the court weighs a potential landmark ruling on abortion.
The House passed the security measure overwhelmingly, 396-27. All of the votes in opposition came from
Democrats.
“By passing this bill as is, we are sending a clear message to left wing radicals: You cannot intimidate Supreme Court justices,” said House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy.
The Senate voted to expand security protections shortly after the leak of a draft court opinion that would overrule Roe v. Wade and sharply curtail abortion rights in roughly half the states. Supporters of the legislation said threats to the justices have increased since then, with protesters sometimes gathering outside their homes.
Democrats noted that the Supreme Court justices already have round-the-clock security details. They said they also supported extending security to immediate families. But they wanted to include security for families of court employees.
But last week’s arrest clearly brought new emphasis to the bill. Democrats said they would pursue the protections for families of court employees separately.