The Hill News

Two Iowa lawmakers said they don't want the Arizona shooting that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) to change how they interact with the public.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican of the Senate Finance committee, and Rep. Steve King (R) both told the Des Moines Register they don't plan on seeking additional security in response to the shooting. King said he has received threats to his life during h! is career but does not feel he needs additional protection.

“So if it means I always have to have a security detail, I’m probably going to be the guy that figures out how to escape my security detail and deal with real people,” King said.

Likewise, Grassley said he did not know how he could change how he goes about talking to the public.

“I don’t know how I can change my procedure at all from the standpoint of just going on and doing what we’ve been doing,” Grassley said.

Grassley also predicted the shooting might cause people to overreact more in other parts of the country.

Since the shooting of Giffords on Saturday, the question has arisen whether representatives should be accompanied by Secret Service agents or local police. With the exception of the congressional leadership, most members of Congress do not receive security protection unless they request it or the Secret Service deems it necessary.