Rep. Dan Crenshaw slapped with $5,000 fine for bypassing Capitol security procedures

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tex.) is now facing a $5,000 fine for failing to adhere to security protocols while entering the Republican cloakroom at the U.S. Capitol, according to an announcement made by the House Committee on Ethics on Wednesday.

According to The Washington Post, the fine was imposed by U.S. House of Representatives Sergeant-at-Arms William J. Walker after a U.S. Capitol Police investigation determined that Crenshaw and an unidentified man, who appeared to be a former Congressional member, walked into the House chamber without receiving proper security clearance.

"On September 27, 2021, the Committee received a notification from the Office of the Sergeant at Arms that Representative Dan Crenshaw has been fined pursuant to House Resolution 73. Pursuant to Section 1(a)(3) of House Resolution 73, the Committee hereby publishes the fine notification," the statement read.

The publication reports that House Resolution 73 "imposes a $5,000 fine for a first offense. Any subsequent violations will cost a legislator $10,000 each. But the resolution also allows the offender to appeal within 30 days of being notified of the fine."

Crenshaw's penalty comes months after Republican lawmakers' pushback against heightened security protocols at the U.S. Capitol. Shortly after the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, metal detectors were installed at the federal building. Although the devices were put in place for the safety of everyone entering the building, lawmakers and journalists expressed concern after witnessing mostly Republican lawmakers bypassing the metal detectors.

The statement continued with details about the actions Crenshaw can take to appeal the fine.

"The Committee notes that the mandatory publication of a fine notification does not itself reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee. Pursuant to Section 1(b)(1) of House Resolution 73, Representative Crenshaw may appeal the fine to the Committee," the statement reads. "Upon a determination regarding any appeal or if no appeal is received within 30 days of the Member's notification of the fine, the Committee will make a further public statement regarding this matter. In order to comply with Committee Rule 7 regarding confidentiality, the Committee will refrain from making further public statements until that time."