Russell Honor calls for background checks on all congressional staff [View all]

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https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/05/politics/honore-capitol-police-mission-congressional-staff-background-checks-cnntv/index.html

Washington (CNN) — The leader of a task force that reviewed security failures around the January 6 insurrection reiterated his call on Monday for background checks on all congressional staff following yet another deadly attack at the US Capitol.

But Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, speaking to CNN's Jim Sciutto, also pushed back on claims that the Capitol Police is unable to currently fulfill its mission of protecting lawmakers, calling the assertion "BS."

Honoré said that his team did not investigate allegations that some Republican lawmakers and staff gave tours to those who later participated in the January 6 riot, but said he continues to support recommendations for conducting background checks on everyone working at the Capitol -- a potentially massive undertaking that raises several logistical and political questions. Currently, there is only a background check process for staffers who apply for security clearances.

"We made recommendations that everyone coming into the Capitol give background checks, the entire Congressional staff," Honoré said. "We do think that everyone going into the Capitol, that works there, should have complete background checks and we need to improve the ability to process people with vestibules outside of the Capitol so people can comes in, be quickly screened and go through using the best technology."

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