Congress responds to ‘all-time high’ number of threats against representatives with increased personal security

House Sergeant at Arms William Walker plans to offer lawmakers thousands of dollars to safeguard their homes at a time when a growing number of members have received threats.

This decision came just days after King County prosecutors charged a man with stalking U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

King County files charges against man who harassed Rep. Jayapal, issues warrant for his arrest

On Wednesday, prosecutors charged 49-year-old Brett Forsell with felony stalking after he allegedly came to Jayapal’s Seattle home yelling obscenities and telling her to go “back to India.” Police said Forsell was armed at the time.

Congressional members and staff were sent a letter announcing the residential security program, an initiative that will pay for up to $10,000 worth of expenses for security equipment such as cameras, video recorders, door locks, and motion sensors at representative’s personal residences.

“The Sergeant at Arms (SAA) will assume the cost of and oversee certain future residential security upgrades, maintenance, and monthly monitoring fees. This program will strengthen the security of Members of the House of Representatives and their families,” Walker wrote.

The initiative is set to launch Aug. 15.

Threats against members of Congress reached an all-time high, according to data released by the U.S. Capitol Police earlier this year.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) shared images last month of a death threat addressed to his home that he and his family had received. One letter to his wife threatened to kill her and their son.

Last week, a man was charged with assault after police said he tried to stab Rep. ​​Lee Zeldin (R-NY) at a campaign event.

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