Dear Mr. Blodgett,
We are writing in response to your letter of February 5th, 2021. House Resolution 73 not only authorizes you but directs you:
"to impose a fine against a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for failure to complete security screening for entrance to the House Chamber."
The Speaker of the House failed to complete security screening on February 4th, and closed circuit television footage can provide irrefutable proof that a violation occurred. We believe that you do not have the authority to selectively enforce the fines for failure to complete security screening. Furthermore, House Resolution 73 established a process to appeal fines, that authority is given to the Committee on Ethics, not the Sergeant at Arms.
In your letter, you also reference procedures adopted by your office specific to carrying out your authorities in House Resolution 73. While we agree the resolution gives you some authority in subsection (G), those procedures have not been communicated to the entire House. It is clear the rules do not apply equally to all and they are needlessly putting our U.S. Capitol Police officers in a difficult position. We ask that you please provide a comprehensive explanation of what procedures your office has adopted and why you have chosen these particular procedures.
We look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,