There are further indications that US Capitol Hill crowds and employees may return after COVID as the busy tourist season in Washington, DC approaches.
Capitol Hill officials said they had finished restoring more of the office building doors, access points, and entrances that had been blocked during COVID, when the campus was mainly closed to visitors, in testimony before senators and House members this week.
US Capitol Police Face Persistent Personnel Shortfall
The Capitol police chief admitted that the reopening has increased some of the agency’s recruitment efforts for personnel to man the checkpoints.
The peak workforce on the grounds has once again surpassed 30,000 persons, according to an estimate provided to a Senate commission by the architect of the Capitol.
The Capitol complex is seeing a resurgence of tourists and throngs, but US Capitol Police recognize a persistent personnel shortfall. According to a study from the organization, as of this past Friday, the department had around 110 fewer officers than is legally required.
According to a written report submitted to the Senate Rules Committee by Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas, three to four officers are needed every shift to adequately staff a campus entrance in order to maintain a high degree of protection.
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Long Lineups at Capitol Pose Security Concerns
Long lineups pose a security concern that the Department must address in these tumultuous times, in addition to being inconvenient for Members, employees, and visitors. Staffing everyday mission needs is crucial, even when major improvements are substantial and critical.
Nevertheless, Manger said last week at a joint House-Senate committee that recent attempts to recruit had been successful in attracting excellent quality personnel. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has regularly praised Congressional staffers for this year’s complete reopening of the grounds to guests.
Before attending press conferences, McCarthy would sometimes welcome visitors and take their pictures. His administration launched a pop-up picture station with visitors inside the Capitol earlier this month.
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