WASHINGTON — Tuesday’s vote in the House on Senate-passed legislation will provide security for family members of Supreme Court justices. This comes almost a week after an armied man was taken into custody outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house.
Sens. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) would sponsor the Supreme Court Police Parity Act. This legislation provides security similar to those that are currently available for certain family members of legislative and executive branch officials. Last month, the Senate unanimously approved the bill.
After the attack on Kavanaugh’s Maryland residence last week, Republicans and lawmakers have called for immediate action. Nicholas Roske, 26, a Californian, was arrested with a handgun as well as a knife, pepper spray, and other burglary tools. In a 911 call, he stated that he was trying to kill Kavanaugh due to the leak of a draft opinion that suggested the high court would overturn Roe V. Wade. In the weeks ahead of the expected release of the official opinion, law enforcement agencies warned about the possibility for violence.
Late Monday’s advisory from Steny Hoyer (D-Md), stated that the House will vote on the Senate-passed measure. This was after House Democrats had been contemplating a slightly different version which would have extended security protections for Supreme Court employees.
However, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate Minority Leader, threatened Monday to stop that version in Congress.
McConnell stated Monday that the Senate passed the right bill and said McConnell would not pass the House bill if it came over. McConnell also told reporters Monday afternoon that the Senate must take up the Senator Cornyn’s bill and pass it.
Hoyer stated that the Senate passed the bill and that “it is crucial to protect the families of those who serve their country and communities as judicial clerks or staff.”
McConnell said, however, that protections shouldn’t be extended to “nameless staff no one knows”.
