U.S. Senate Member Protection Regulations
Floor Speech
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Mr. McCONNELL. Senate Member Protection Regulations Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on December 11, 2025
1.0 Scope--These regulations detail the permissible expenditures and voucher process a Member shall use to procure personal security devices, physical security enhancements, and personal security services for the Member's safety and well-being.
2.0 Definitions--For purposes of these regulations, the following terms have the meaning specified.
2.1 Capitol complex means the Capitol Buildings as defined in 40 U.S.C. Sec. 5101 and the United States Capitol Grounds as described in section 40 U.S.C. Sec. 5102(a).
2.2 Member means a U.S. Senator.
2.3 Non-structural security enhancements include devices such as security hardware, locks, alarm systems, motion detectors, and security camera systems.
2.4 Personal security device means an item used for personal security, except that such term shall not include any item prohibited in the Capitol Police Board prohibited items list, which is incorporated into these regulations as Section 4.1.
2.5 Personal security entity means a person or company that provides bona fide, legitimate, and professional private security services acting within the scope of applicable laws. A personal security entity may also include, or extend its services through, off-duty, deputized, retired, or otherwise authorized law-enforcement officers.
2.6 Personal security services means services provided by a personal security entity that may include the continuous protection of the Member, the continuous protection of the Member's residence(s) regardless of the Member's physical location, secure transportation, and travel-related measures designed to support threat mitigation.
2.7 Physical security enhancements means non-structural security enhancements and structural security enhancements.
2.8 Rules Committee means the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
2.9 SAA means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.
2.10 SOPOEA means the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account.
2.11 Structural security enhancements include devices such as wiring, lighting, gates, doors, and fencing, so long as such devices are intended solely to provide security and not to improve the Member's property or increase its value.
2.12 USCP means the United States Capitol Police.
3.0 General Information--in addition to the permissible expenditures detailed in Section 4.0, Members may utilize the following additional resources:
3.1 Law enforcement coordination. The SAA and USCP may enter into mutual aid agreements for law enforcement support for Members.
3.2 SAA Procurement. The SAA may support Members by providing concierge security management and coordination for Members, including liaison activities between federal, state, local, and private security entities, procuring personal security devices and services, and physical security enhancements using SOPOEA funds, upon written delegation of such authority by a Member.
3.3 SAA Residential Security Program. The SAA Residential Security System Program provides physical security support to Members at their residences at no cost to the Senator. Physical security support can include electronic security systems, security monitoring, and other physical security enhancements recommended by the USCP.
3.4 Use of Campaign Funds. Before using campaign funds, Members should confer with the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the Federal Election Commission to ensure compliance with applicable ethics and campaign finance rules.
4.0 Permissible Expenditures--Each Member may use funds made available to the Member from their SOPOEA to pay for certain security products or services. Any conditions or circumstances pertaining to Member protection not covered by the following regulations must be submitted in writing to and approved by the Rules Committee.
4.1 Personal security devices. Each Member may obtain a personal security device for use by the Member so long as the device is not:
4.1.1 Ammunition;
4.1.2 Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Substances;
4.1.3 Chemicals or other damaging liquids;
4.1.4 Destructive Devices, Explosives, or Combustible Chemical Compounds and Mixtures (gasoline, gunpowder, fireworks, flares, Molotov cocktails, or replicas of explosive devices);
4.1.5 Disabling Chemicals (bear spray, tear gas, poisonous chemicals or gases, or other chemicals designed for self- defense);
4.1.6 Drones/UAS;
4.1.7 Firearms (any weapon that expels a projectile with an explosive);
4.1.8 Handcuffs, Flex Cuffs, or items that can be used as restraints;
4.1.9 Impact Weapons (batons, blackjack, clubs, maces, slungshot, etc.);
4.1.10 Knives, 2.5 inches or more, to include sharp tools, pointed objects or implements such as a switch blade, dagger, dirk, sword, etc.;
4.1.11 Realistic replicas of explosives, firearms, or other weapons to include toy weapons;
4.1.12 Tasers, Stun Guns; or
4.1.13 Weapons of any kind or any other item determined by the USCP to be a potential safety hazard.
4.2 Physical security enhancements. Each Member may obtain non-structural or structural security enhancements such as a security system or other security support for any residence of the Member so long as:
4.2.1 The physical security enhancements are intended solely to provide security and not to improve the Member's property or increase its value; and
4.2.2 Neither the Member, any relative of the Member, nor employee of the Senate has an ownership or financial interest in the entity providing physical security enhancements.
4.3 Personal security services. A security entity, including local or state law enforcement, may be hired to provide personal security services for the Member so long as:
4.3.1 The personal security services provided under the contract are being provided only for the protection of the Member or their residence(s);
4.3.2 The personal security services abide by all Capitol Police Board regulations, and Capitol Police policies and procedures while in the Capitol Complex; and
4.3.3 Neither the Member, any relative of the Member, nor employee of the Senate has an ownership or financial interest in the personal security entity providing the services.
5.0 Submitting Expenditures--Members shall submit expense vouchers, approved by the Senator and certified by designated staff, with supporting documentation that shows evidence of actual expenses incurred and, if seeking reimbursement, evidence of payment. Office Purchase cards may not be used for the purchase of any member security expenditures.
5.1 Personal security device vouchers. Personal security device vouchers shall be reimbursed to the Member and shall include the following certifications:
5.1.1 The personal security device was purchased by the Member, or procured by the SAA on the Member's behalf;
5.1.2 The personal security device is intended for sole use by the Member for their own personal protection; and
5.1.3 The Member, or the SAA on the Member's behalf, has reviewed the list of permissible and prohibited devices in Section 4.1 and certifies the device being purchased is not prohibited.
5.2 Physical security enhancement vouchers. Physical security enhancement vouchers may be paid directly to the physical security provider or may be reimbursed to the Member. These vouchers shall include the following certifications:
5.2.1 The Member, or the SAA on the Member's behalf, procured the physical security enhancement solely to provide security to the Member and not to improve the Member's property or increase its value; and
5.2.2 Neither the Member, any relative of the Member, nor employee of the Senate has an ownership or financial interest in the entity providing physical security enhancements.
5.3 Personal security services vouchers: Personal security services vouchers may be paid directly to the personal security provider or may be reimbursed to the Member. These vouchers shall include the following certifications:
5.3.1 The Member, or the SAA on the Member's behalf, entered into a contract with a personal security entity for personal security services for the Member;
5.3.2 The personal security services provided under the contract are being provided only for the protection of the Member or their residence; and
5.3.3 Neither the Member, any relative of the Member, nor employee of the Senate has an ownership or financial interest in the personal security entity providing the services.
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