WASHINGTON _ The Federal Election Commission has approved guidance to allow campaign contributions to pay for certain types of security.
Commissioners backed the proposal, 5-0, that would permit members of Congress to use up to $15,000 in campaign funds for "nonstructural" security systems, which would include installation and monitoring costs for cameras, sensors and "removable security devices" at their homes.
The ruling came in light of the shooting last month of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise while practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
An opinion from the FEC before the vote said that campaign cash used to pay for security expenses recommended by Capitol Police and that are not primarily meant to increase the value of a home is not prohibited.
The request for guidance came from House Sergeant at Arms Paul D. Irving after Scalise's shooting. Irving outlined a "new daily threat environment" facing lawmakers, citing U.S. Capitol Police's investigation of 902 threatening communications received by lawmakers in 2016 and 950 threats investigated in just the first six months of 2017, statistics he reiterated in his testimony to the FEC on Thursday.
Both the House Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Police would see a boost in funding under the fiscal 2018 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill that cleared full committee in late June. The bill would provide $5 million for the House Sergeant at Arms to enhance district office security, such as cameras, panic buttons and other security infrastructure. Also in the works is a planned House Administration Committee authorization increase of Members' Representational Allowances accounts by $25,000 per member for official event security in members' districts.
Until the FEC's decision, there were strict guidelines on using campaign funds to pay for security at residences and permission from the FEC was needed on a case-by-case, threat-specific basis. The FEC has previously granted requests to use campaign money for security upgrades in specific circumstances. Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was allowed to upgrade security at her home after she was shot and severely wounded at a 2011 event for constituents in Arizona.
