1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that the House Speaker ensure equal security protection for all members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation. The assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall on Tuesday, where an assailant rushed the stage and sprayed an unknown substance at her using a syringe, demonstrates the urgent need for comprehensive security measures that extend to all lawmakers. This attack occurred just three days after Rep. Maxwell Frost was punched in the face at the Sundance Festival. These are not isolated incidents. According to the U.S. Capitol Police, threat assessment cases have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2025 alone, the USCP investigated 14,938 concerning statements, behaviors, and communications directed toward congressional lawmakers, their families, and staff. This represents a nearly 58% increase from 2024. Political violence is reprehensible regardless of the target's political views. When members of Congress cannot safely engage with their constituents at town halls or public events, our democracy suffers. Rep. Omar was delivering remarks to her constituents when she was attacked. This is exactly the kind of direct constituent engagement that strengthens representative government, yet it has become increasingly dangerous. The House Speaker's apparent reluctance to provide adequate security protection to members of the opposition party is deeply concerning. Security should never be a partisan issue. Every member of Congress deserves protection that allows them to fulfill their constitutional duties without fear of physical assault. The current disparity in security resources sends a dangerous message that some lawmakers are more deserving of safety than others. I urge you to advocate for equal security funding and protection for all members of Congress. Our representatives must be able to serve their constituents without facing physical violence. This is a fundamental requirement for a functioning democracy.