The Defense Department estimates the National Guard deployment at the Capitol through March 15 will cost nearly $483 million, in addition to $500 million it has already spent, Fox News reported Monday.
Approximately 26,000 National Guard troops from across the country were sent to Washington D.C. after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. The number has gradually reduced, however there are still more than 7,000 troops guarding the Capitol building with plans to gradually decrease its presence through the end of March, to fewer than 3,000 troops, according to Fox News.
Since January 6th, the costs for the enhanced security was already nearing $500 million at the start of February.
The recent deployment was the largest in Washington since the Civil War with many areas of downtown DC closed to traffic and pedestrians.
Following the Jan 6 capitol riot, the Capitol Police called for more permanent security on the Capitol grounds, including fencing setting off a debate over how far to go. Some lawmakers quickly signaled reluctance to have the Capitol ringed in by a fence. The Capitol building has been easily accessible to Americans for most of the nation’s history.
D.C. Rep. Eleanor Norton, who sits in Congress but cannot vote on legislation, said Monday that she will introduce legislation that would prohibit permanent fencing erected around the Capitol.