Indiana Congressman Jim Baird fined $5,000 for bypassing House security

Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana was fined $5,000 for failing to walk through the metal detector on the House floor as required last week, a notice from the House sergeant-at-arms says

The metal detectors were installed at the House Chamber's entrance after the Jan. 6 insurrection. In February, the House approved a resolution giving the sergeant-at-arms the ability to fine lawmakers $5,000 the first time they bypass security measures and $10,000 for subsequent offenses.

Baird, who represents Indiana's 4th Congressional District, plans to appeal the fine, spokeswoman Katie Milner said. He is a veteran who has a prosthetic limb, but Milner did not say whether that played a factor in what she called a misunderstanding.

"Congressman Baird will be appealing this fine and believes this is a misunderstanding that he looks forward to resolving with the Ethics Committee," she said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2021/11/24/indiana-rep-jim-baird-fined-5-000-bypassing-house-security/8746743002/