Members of the Squad nearly sink $1.9 billion security funding bill backed by Pelosi

Members of the so-called "Squad" of progressive lawmakers nearly took down a bill backed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that provides $1.9 billion in supplemental security funding at the U.S. Capitol following the Jan. 6 riot.

Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, voted against the bill, while New York Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman and Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan did not take a position on the bill and voted present.

Two GOP members did not cast a recorded vote, and every other Republican opposed the bill. It narrowly passed 213-212. A tied vote in the House means that the measure fails.

Following the passage of the bill, Omar said, "I am frankly tired of any time where there is a failure in our system of policing, the first response is for us to give them more money."

Pressley, Bush and Omar released a joint statement that outlined their objection to the legislation.

"A bill that pours $1.9 billion into increased police surveillance and force without addressing the underlying threats of organized and violent white supremacy, radicalization, and disinformation that led to this attack will not prevent it from happening again," said the lawmakers. "Increasing law enforcement funds does not inherently protect or safeguard the Capitol Hill or surrounding D.C. community. In fact, this bill is being passed before we have any real investigation into the events of January 6th and the failures involved because Republicans have steadfastly obstructed the creation of a January 6th commission."

The Democratic lawmakers also said the bill does "far too little to address the unspeakable trauma of the countless officers, staff, and support workers who were on site that day — dedicating fifty times more money to the creation of a 'quick reaction force' than it does to counseling."

The lawmakers said they could not support "this increased funding while many of our communities continue to face police brutality while marching in the streets, and while questions about the disparate response between insurrectionists and those protesting in defense of Black lives go unanswered."

The progressive lawmakers argued that the bill "prioritizes more money for a broken system that has long upheld and protected the white supremacist violence we saw on display that day."

In addition to creating the new "quick reaction force," the bill would also provide funding for the installation of a retractable fence around the U.S. Capitol building. 

In the last session of Congress, Squad members raised speculation about how often they would vote against Pelosi-backed legislation. 

In December 2020, some of the progressive lawmakers in the Squad voted against advancing a large coronavirus stimulus bill that was attached to regular government appropriations.