House to allow members, staff to bring some visitors back to Capitol

House lawmakers and their staffs will reportedly be allowed to bring certain visitors into the Capitol beginning on Wednesday, more than a year after restrictions were put in place in the beginning days of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Axios, the House sergeant at arms is expected to formally announce in a letter of members on Monday that individuals who want to visit the Capitol for official business, including lobbyists and reporters who do not have a permanent pass, will be permitted to do so.

The Hill has reached out to the House sergeant at arms for comment.

The same guidelines will also go into effect in the five House office buildings beginning April 29, Axios reported, which is one day after President Biden is scheduled to deliver a joint address to Congress.

According to Axios, the Senate already permits official visits with a staff escort.

The move comes amid an investigation by the Capitol Police, which, according to The New York Times, is looking into if members of Congress granted access to visitors in the Capitol before the Jan. 6 attack.

In January, more than 30 House Democrats called for an investigation into “suspicious” Capitol tours that took place the day before the riot.