The Hill News

The ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee has raised concerns regarding lawmaker security in light of proposed fiscal year 2012 budget cuts.

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) released a statement Wednesday in response to the House Appropriations Committee’s proposed 6.4 percent cuts to leadership, committee and personal office budgets for the coming fiscal year.

“In this difficult budget year we all recognize the imperative to demonstrate that Congress is making every effort to achieve savings wherever possible,” wrote Dicks.

But, “I believe we have to be careful to propose cuts in those areas that will not affect the safety of members and their staff,” he added. “We have witnessed the horrific shooting of one of our colleagues this year and consequently members have been encouraged to provide additional security for themselves, their staff and constituents.”

According to Dicks, the proposed reduction to! member’s representational allowances outlined in the FY12 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill -- along with a 10 percent budget cut to the House Sergeant at Arms -- would make these improvements “difficult to achieve.”

Read more...