So Rep Meijer is a Republican, one of the Republicans who voted against overturning the will of the people. He notes in this piece that he was told straight up by some of his colleagues that they know they're voting the wrong way but fear for their families. https://twitter.com/RepMeijer/status/1348147381519470597

And I just want to note: House members don't make a ton of money, considering that the ones who don't live within easy commuting distance of DC have to pay for housing in two cities (at least one of which is incredibly expensive) and a lot of travel back and forth.

Anyway, I would suggest the following provisions as part of an overall deal that includes impeachment.

1. We could straight up just budget a bunch of money to protect people's families. Exactly how this would work would vary by threat / location / preference, I think, but to start with, we could say, "we've set aside a bunch of money to make sure your families are safe."

It is easy to say "if you're that much of a coward don't fucking run for office" but it's also not that hard to say "you know what, this is a strange time and we are in a strange place as a nation and it's not going to be that expensive to just ... protect people."

2. I would also attach to this deal funds to build a dormitory for House members. This is not a new proposal. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/11/20/want-to-drain-the-swamp-build-congress-a-dorm-222641

Arguably, people would be very nervous about moving into congregate housing right now, but USUALLY it's easier to protect people in one location than hundreds.

But also, if you don't have to pay for an absurdly expensive apartment in DC, you have more money left for stuff like "hiring your mom a bodyguard" if you think she needs one.

And honestly: I think we should recognize that threatening people's families is a really powerful lever and rather than saying "you shouldn't run for office if that would work on you!" we should try to take away the lever.

This is part of why the families of presidents have a Secret Service detail! We don't want the human beings we elect to ever be put in that position!

Oh, also, I think Pelosi should tell Mike Pence that if he activates the 25th Amendment she'll make sure that Congress votes to give him lifetime Secret Service protection. He would not normally get this bc if you active the 25th Amendment, you're ACTING President, not President.

And I think she should point out to him that without this, he'll theoretically be on his own on June 20th. (The Secretary of Homeland Security can extend this protection, but ... wouldn't you rather know you'll have it as long as you want, if you're Pence?)