“I find it degrading that as a member of Congress I have to go through metal detectors,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres, a freshman Democrat from New York. “Even when I use the bathroom, I have to go through metal detectors.”

“I think it impedes the business of Congress,” Torres continued. “It takes us much longer to enter the House floor, and I see no reason for it.”

“I think they were an important psychological reassurance after the traumatic events of January 6th,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski of New Jersey. “But as a practical security measure they don’t make a lot of sense to me, given what the actual threats are.”

“I think it would be good for the comity of the place to focus on real security, not optical security,” he added.