House lawmakers ask chamber leaders for more money to protect themselves, after Capitol siege

Rank-and-file House members are asking chamber leaders for more money to protect themselves on and off Capitol Hill, following the deadly Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol Building. 

The members are asking the leaders to direct more money into this year's Member Representational Allowance, which is essential used for office operations.

"The horrific attack on the United States Capitol reminds us of the grim reality that Members of Congress are high profile public officials, and therefore, face ongoing security threats from the same domestic terror groups that attacked the Capitol just in the last month," the lawmakers wrote in letter Thursday to leadership, obtained by NBC News.

The letter was sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and the Republican and Democratic leaders of the chamber's Administration committee.

Beyond the attack on the Capitol, in which members were forced to hide and shelter in place as demonstrators attempted to break through doors and windows, members of Congress – including GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham and Mitt Romney – have recently been harassed at airports. And Maryland GOP Rep. Andy Harris now carries a gun following a death threat.

Thirty-one Democrats and one Republican signed the letter, which asks for authorization to use funds to hire local law enforcement in their districts, purchase security items and help keep home addresses private, according to NBC News.

"I appreciate the letter but most of the items on their list have already been done," Pelosi said in response to the letter.

She also said a commission is already reviewing security failures during the riot and looking into how members better protect members

“I do think while it is appropriate for them to use their MRA for their security, they shouldn't have to because that money is there to meet the needs of their constituents,” also said Pelosi, who as a member of leadership can have a security detail.