Van Hollen, Norton Introduce No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the installation of permanent fencing on the grounds of the United States Capitol complex. After the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, a fence was erected around the Capitol that stayed in place for six months as officials recommended a permanent barrier. Norton criticized permanent fencing as both cosmetic and imprecise and instead called for smarter, state-of-the-art solutions.

"Ours is a government of, by, and for the people - and the people should always be able to safely access our nation's Capitol and exercise their First Amendment rights. We can protect the Capitol without walling it off to the public. This legislation would ensure this complex never becomes a fortress where the American people are left on the outside looking in," said Senator Van Hollen.

"Permanent fencing would send an un-American message to the nation and the world, transforming the Capitol from a place that's accessible to the people it serves into a fortress that locks them out," Congresswoman Norton said. "The answer to security vulnerabilities is not a crude barrier that makes the Capitol look safer while doing little to address the threats. Instead, we should be investing in the intelligence, technology, training and security measures that actually protect the Capitol while preserving the openness that is fundamental to our democracy. At a time when trust in government is at historic lows, the last thing we should do is put another physical and psychological barrier between the people and the government that serves them."

Full text of the legislation is available here.