House passes measure docking pay for members who avoid congressional metal detectors

Congress passed a rule that fines members thousands of dollars if they avoid metal detectors to enter the House chamber, a push that began after the Capitol siege on Jan. 6.

The rule was designed to prevent representatives from bringing firearms into the congressional chamber and has become a point of contention after U.S. Capitol Police set up metal detectors off the House floor. Some Republican lawmakers initially avoided the machines by walking around them, prompting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to direct police to block off the sides of the scanners with tables and velvet rope.

Members will have $5,000 taken from their pay if they skirt the magnetometers one time and $10,000 for a second offense. The move to fine members for the violations was first announced by Pelosi in mid-January.