Capitol to remain closed to public.
After five months of deployment to Washington, D.C., the National Guard troops are leaving the grounds of the United States Capitol. Their security mission officially ended Sunday night. The Pentagon announced that an extension of the mission timeline had not been requested. While the additional security will no longer be provided, the Capitol building will not be opened to the public due to police shortages.
The National Guard has been in the nation’s capitol two months longer than originally planned. The troops were scheduled to leave on March 12, but the Capitol Police asked the Pentagon to extend the deployment.
The House of Representatives last week passed a $1.9 billion bill aimed at strengthening security at the Capitol, with around $700 million earmarked to pay the Capitol Police, the D.C. police, and the National Guard. The measure has moved to the Senate.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- With thanksgiving for the calm at the nation’s capital.
- For Capitol Police as they face a personnel shortage.
- For wisdom for Congress and D.C. officials as they consider further security measures.
Sources: Daily Caller, the Hill
