We spent years studying the U.S. Capitol Police and Congress generally. The problem with USCP is management, not funding, and turning Congress into a fortress is inimical to representative democracy.

There is no amount of money that could be spent on the USCP where they *alone* could repel a mob attack, despite 2000 officers and a $500m+ budget. That's why we have the national guard, DC police, and dozens of DC-centric law enforcement agencies.

But there are not mob attacks every day. That's where management and intelligence come in. When the threat increases, draw on partner agencies to meet it. Streamline the process to get help. Make sure you are properly trained. Practice. But you don't need to be an army.

With the billions spent on the USCP over the last decade -- for people, for equipment -- you have to wonder: what have they done with it? Their funding has grown astronomically. Their accountability for it: zero.

It's notable that Congress has invested enormous amounts of money in the Capitol Police even as it has failed to properly provide funding for its policy making staff. A weak Congress allowed an over powerful presidency to metastasize.

Because funding for cops and wonks comes from the same budget, we've seen a $100m annual decrease in funding for House Committees over the last decade even as USCP funding has grown by leaps and bounds.

The other danger is fortress Congress. Making it hard for the public, public interest advocates, staff, and those with business before Congress to get to their representatives will only serve to empower the wealthy who can pay to make access happen.

Here is how Microsoft buys access. The rest of us have to go through the front door. We have to keep it open.