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Senate passes $2.1 billion Capitol security funding bill

The Senate passed a $2.1 billion Capitol security funding bill Thursday by a 98-0 vote.

Why it matters: The legislation provides funding for the Capitol Police, the National Guard and other agencies to cover the costs incurred during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.


The big picture: Senate Appropriations Committee chair Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), the committee's ranking member, announced an agreement on the $2 billion package Tuesday, the same day four police officers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 testified about their personal experiences from that day.

Between the lines: The package includes $70.7 million in salaries and general expenses for the Capitol Police response to the riot, per a fact sheet released by Leahy's office.

  • $300 million will go to infrastructure upgrades to the Capitol, including installing new cameras around the building and House offices.
  • The National Guard will be reimbursed $521 million for deploying guards to help with security efforts on Jan. 6 and after.
  • The package also includes about $500 million for the Department of Defense to assist Afghan nationals who facilitated U.S. war efforts. The State Department will also receive about $600 million to process special immigrant visas for Afghans who are relocating to the U.S., per the fact sheet.

Go deeper: National Guard cutting costs due to funding impasse in Congress

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Biden to address nation on Afghanistan after Taliban seize power

President Biden will return to the White House from Camp David and deliver an address on the crisis in Afghanistan at 3:45 p.m. ET on Monday,following the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's declaration of victory.

Why it matters: Biden has faced intense criticism for his silence as the Taliban captured Kabul and chaos erupted at the city's international airport, where the U.S. is attempting to evacuate thousands of Afghans who assisted the military during the 20-year war.

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