WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The vast majority of lawmakers on Capitol Hill have little security beyond the officers who guard the entrances and hallways of the U.S. Capitol and the complex of congressional office buildings that covers several square blocks in Washington, D.C.
Here are some details about security provided for U.S. lawmakers:
* The Capitol Police service was established in 1928 to protect the "life and property" of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate and their families from criminal acts.
* About 1,800 armed officers guard the Capitol and the lawmakers who work there -- 435 members of the House and 100 Senators when all members are in place.
* A handful of lawmakers who are members of the leadership get their own security details to guard them as they travel both inside and outside the Capitol grounds.
* Capitol police may consider additional security for other lawmakers if a specific threat arises.
* Since the September 11, 2001, attacks, many sections of the Capitol such as the steps leading down to the National Mall are off limits to visitors.
* The Capitol Police has several specialty security units, including a hazardous materials response team and a bomb squad. A spokeswoman said the police have developed more of an anti-terrorism focus since the September 11 attacks.
* Security officials in Washington on Sunday urged members of Congress to coordinate more closely with local police when they hold public appearances in their home districts.
* Democratic Representative John Larson told reporters many new members now serving in Congress were not around during the September 11, 2001 emergency or anthrax scares soon afterward and thus have had no experience with personal threats.
(Reporting by Kim Dixon and Richard Cowan; Editing by Jackie Frank and Todd Eastham)
