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Baird fined $5,000 for failing to complete House security screening
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jim Baird is facing a $5,000 fine for a violation of House security rules.
Political website The Hill reported Tuesday that Baird (R-Greencastle) was fined following an incident last week in which he walked around a metal detector instead of going through it.
According to a Capitol Police memo, an officer tried to get Baird’s attention by placing his hand on his elbow and telling him he needed to go through the screening before entering the House floor.
The memo notes that Baird “made eye contact” but then continued into the chamber.
The Banner Graphic attempted to reach out to Baird’s office for comment on Wednesday but had not heard back as of Thursday morning.
However, a spokesperson for Baird told The Hill he will appeal the fine and “believes this is a misunderstanding that he looks forward to resolving with the Ethics Committee.”
A Vietnam War veteran who lost his left arm in combat, Baird has a prosthetic limb. Officers typically use handheld metal detector wands for those who would otherwise set off the full-sized magnetometers.
House Democrats enacted the fines — which start at $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses — to enforce compliance with the screenings established after the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
A number of lawmakers have been fined for such violations, though several have successfully appealed.