House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has fined two Republican congressman for violating her new metal detector policy.
“Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) are the first to be hit with the dramatic fine, which is taken directly from their $174,000 salaries,” the New York Post reported Friday.
Gohmer is accusing Pelosi of making the rules up as she goes along and said that Pelosi violated her own policy. “This should come as no surprise, but Democrats are making up the rules as they go,” Gohmert said.
The Congressman from Texas said that he has followed the “unconstitutional” policy for weeks:
Yesterday, after complying with the metal detector screening, I was allowed to enter the House session where debate was occurring. Knowing that I would soon be giving a speech, I stepped off the House floor to use the restroom right beside the Speaker’s lobby as I have done many times since the metal detectors have been installed.
At no time until yesterday did anyone mention the need to be wanded after entering the restroom directly in front of the guards. The three main entrances have metal detectors, but the House floor entrance from the Speakers’ Lobby does not. Originally I had gone around the metal detectors a few times until it was mandated. I have been complying for weeks since.
“Article 1, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution contains specific language prohibiting Members of Congress from being detained on the way to or from a session of the House,” the congressman said, adding that he will appeal the fine.
Pelosi had the metal detectors installed outside the House chamber to try and prohibit Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) from exercising her 2nd Amendment rights, Boebert has received her DC concealed carry permit and is allowed to carry firearms legally in the city and on government property.
After the fines were announced GOP members of the House Administration Committee reported that Pelosi broke her own rules “by entering the House Chamber without going through security” and demanded she face the same fines:
Just proves this new rule is being arbitrarily enforced & clearly does not apply to all members. It was put in place for political gain, not for safety. The SAA is appointed by Speaker Pelosi & once again, she is showing the American people that the rules do not apply to her. pic.twitter.com/YYRcx1vJGR
— House Admin. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmnGOP) February 6, 2021
