Senate passes $2.1 billion bill for Capitol security, Afghan visas

Washington — The Senate on Thursday approved a $2.1 billion supplemental security spending package that directs much-needed funding to the U.S. Capitol Police and National Guard, under strain following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and bolsters federal efforts to relocate Afghans who aided U.S. troops during the war in Afghanistan.

The legislation passed the Senate with unanimous support in a 98-0 vote. The White House backed the measure and its approval by the Senate.

The top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senators Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Richard Shelby of Alabama, announced Tuesday they reached a deal on the emergency spending measure, though a vote was delayed after some Republicans objected to provisions related to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program. 

Shelby urged his GOP colleagues to allow for the Senate to take up the legislation and warned if Congress did not act, there could be deadly consequences for Afghans who aided U.S. troops during the 20-year war and face threats from the Taliban.

The security spending package directs $100 million to the Capitol Police and $300 million to boost security in the Capitol, including for new cameras and hardening windows and doors. It also provides $1 billion for the Pentagon, which includes $521 million for the National Guard and $500 million to evacuate Afghan allies ahead of the U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan. Another $600 million would go to the State Department for refugee and migration assistance and $25 million to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement for the visa program.

The Senate vote comes as the first flight of Afghan visa applicants is poised to land in the U.S. The refugees will be temporarily housed at Fort Lee, Virginia, while completing the visa process. The Biden administration this month launched its operation to support Afghans who aided the U.S. during the war and now are under threat from the Taliban.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had urged the chamber to act with urgency in passing the $2.1 billion supplemental security bill, as the Capitol Police and National Guard warned of upcoming cash crunches as a result of the January 6 assault on the Capitol.

“The last six months have pushed those who protect the U.S. Capitol to the limits in the face of unprecedented adversity,” Schumer said in a Senate floor speech. “They responded heroically. We must support them now, as they so courageously supported us.”

Sources told CBS News this month a fund used to pay Capitol Police officers is due to run dry in mid-August, but money could be shifted in the short-term to cover salaries through September. The National Guard, which sent 26,000 troops to help with security for President Biden’s inauguration, also warned of impacts to readiness and training if it were not reimbursed the $521 million cost of its mission.

The Capitol Police, in particular, has been feeling the squeeze since the January 6 assault on the Capitol. More than 150 Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police officers were injured in the riots, and more than 70 Capitol Police officers have left its force in the six months since the attack. One Capitol Police officer died after responding to the violence January 6.

The $2.1 billion bill approved by the Senate includes $31.1 million to backfill expected overtime until the Capitol Police can hire more officers, as well as $4.4 million for wellness and trauma support, and $3.3 million for intelligence analysts and technical resources.

The legislation also directs $5.8 million for protective details for lawmakers in response to increased threats against them and $2.6 million for basic riot control equipment for Capitol Police officers.

The House passed its own $1.9 billion emergency security spending package last month. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters the House will take up the Senate’s version.

Zak Hudak contributed to this report