GOP Reps. Gohmert, Clyde are first lawmakers fined $5,000 under new metal detector rules

WASHINGTON – GOP Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas and Andrew Clyde of Georgia are the first lawmakers to be fined due to the House's new rules on passing through metal detectors, according to a senior Democratic aide who wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

They each will be fined $5,000 under a new rule adopted Tuesday that fines members who do not follow new security protocols, including walking through metal detectors into the House chamber.

More:House to fine lawmakers $5,000 for skirting metal detectors, security measures after riot

The new metal detectors were put at the House chamber's entrances in the wake of the mob that stormed the Capitol. 

It's unclear what specific incidents led to both lawmakers being fined, but the aide told USA TODAY both violated the new rule.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Gohmert said in a statement that he complied with the policy before entering a House session but stepped off the House floor to use the restroom before he was set to give a speech. He did not go back through the metal detector to reenter, he said.

"At no time until yesterday did anyone mention the need to be wanded after entering the restroom directly in front of the guards," he said, adding, "Unlike in the movie The Godfather, there are no toilets with tanks where one could hide a gun, so my reentry onto the House floor should have been a non-issue."

Clyde's office did not immediately respond to inquiries about the incidents that led to the fines.

More:Democratic lawmakers join Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in sharing Capitol riot experiences

The rule gives the sergeant-at-arms the authority to fine lawmakers $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for a second if the legislators do not complete the security screening to enter the House — including walking through metal detectors. 

The $5,000 will be deducted directly from Gohmert's and Clyde's salaries. Gohmert said in the statement that he will be appealing the fine and called the rule unconstitutional. 

The rules and fines regarding the metal detectors came after some House Republicans openly defied them, refusing to pass through to get into the House chamber and even arguing with some Capitol Hill Police officers.

They were put into place about a week after the insurrection, a move that drew outrage from many GOP House members who claimed it was an infringement on their Second Amendment rights. 

Members of Congress can carry unloaded weapons on the Capitol grounds, but cannot bring them onto the floor.

Contributing: Ryan W. Miller USA TODAY