Days after a Capitol insurrection that left 5 people dead, and as we learn of domestic terrorism threats ahead of inauguration, I still can't wrap my head around House Republicans having a full-blown tantrum about having to walk through a metal detector.

What is going on here?

At best, these GOP lawmakers are embarrassingly entitled.

At worst, they’re sneaking guns onto the House floor and don't want to get caught -- and terrifying their colleagues in the meantime.
These are actual quotes from House Republicans reacting to have to walk through a metal detector to get onto the House floor.

“Horse shit!”

“You are creating a problem you do not understand the ramifications of!”

“You can’t stop me, I’m on my way to a vote!"
The Capitol Police officers by the metal detector -- some of whom just saved these lawmakers' lives last week -- had to stand there and get yelled at, and be told the situation is "unconstitutional."

There is nothing in the Constitution about walking through a metal detector.
Never mind that you're not allowed to bring a gun onto the House floor, which it sure sounds like Rep. Madison Cawthorn did.

Some lawmakers are afraid of EACH OTHER. Some are raising concerns about Trump allied-lawmakers being conspirators with the violent insurrectionists.
.@AOC, for one, has said she was scared for her life during the lockdown, in part b/c of white supremacist lawmakers potentially revealing her location to the insurrectionists.

Rep. Cedric Richmond said as much yesterday, noting there “may be co-conspirators” in the House.
Of course, some of these GOP lawmakers are big ol' metal detector hypocrites.

Here's Rep. Steve Stivers in 2018, saying how great it is that Congress is giving schools more money to put in metal detectors. Because safety first!
Stivers in 2018, backing more metal detectors in schools: "As a father, I want to ensure the safety of all of our kids as we send them off to school."

Stivers this week, having to walk through one to get onto the House floor: Unconstitutional!
And just to bring this full circle, the reason GOP lawmakers like Stivers support putting metal detectors in schools is because they don't want to deal with gun control but they want to look like they're doing something on school shootings, so... here, have a metal detector.
Cap Police can't really *force* a member of Congress to walk through a metal detector. I wasn't sure how Pelosi was gonna enforce this change.

She found a way: fines.

First offense: $5K. Second offense: $10K

Deducted from lawmakers' paychecks. Boom. https://t.co/9g6zsYJsEA

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All the challenges to Leader Pelosi are coming from her right, in an apparent effort to make the party even more conservative and bent toward corporate interests.

Hard pass. So long as Leader Pelosi remains the most progressive candidate for Speaker, she can count on my support.


I agree that our party should, and must, evolve our leadership.

But changed leadership should reflect an actual, evolved mission; namely, an increased commitment to the middle + working class electorate that put us here.

Otherwise it’s a just new figure with the same problems.

I hope that we can move swiftly to conclude this discussion about party positions, so that we can spend more time discussing party priorities: voting rights, healthcare, wages, climate change, housing, cannabis legalization, good jobs, etc.

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