Speaker Johnson says member security funding talks delaying CR rollout

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Monday that the text of the continuing resolution (CR) is being delayed because of ongoing talks on increased security for members of Congress. 

The current CR includes an additional $58 million for the protection of executive and judicial branch officials, which the White House asked for after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk last Wednesday.

Since Kirk’s murder, however, numerous members of Congress have expressed concern over their safety, whether in Washington or on the campaign trail.

"We have to protect our judges and those who serve in [executive and judicial] branches, but also, of course, in Congress, and so we're looking at an amount that would be appropriate for a continued resolution in a short term to protect members in the [legislative] branch as well," Johnson said.

The Speaker added that while there is not a "consensus" around the amount of funding needed for security measures, he expects to speak with members of both parties over the next two days.

The current CR expires on Sept. 30, with Congress set to go on recess starting Friday in observance of Rosh Hashanah and returning on Sept. 29. House Republican leadership, though, intends to pass a stopgap spending bill that will fund the government through Nov. 20, GOP sources told The Hill on Monday.

"We’re working through it, but we don’t want, don’t intend, to put anything on there that we can’t agree with," House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told The Hill on Thursday. 

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University last week. 

"Members of Congress are safe, they will be kept safe," Johnson noted. "They have security measures now at their residences, and personally, we can always enhance and do more and do better. And I think everyone's looking at that soberly right now, after this unspeakable tragedy that befell our friend."