GOP reps sue to block Pelosi's 'unconstitutional and unjust' screening fines

Two Republican lawmakers have filed a lawsuit to block fines imposed against them for bypassing metal detectors placed outside House chambers earlier this year in response to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The lawmakers, GOP Reps. Louie Gohmert (Texas) and Andrew Clyde (Ga.), attempted to appeal their fines earlier this year but were unsuccessful, even as Democratic House Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.) and another Republican colleague saw their fines dropped.

Gohmert and Clyde argue that the steep fines — proposed by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and passed by the Democrat-controlled chamber in January — are nothing more than a tool used to target Republicans. Gohmert has been fined $5,000 for his one offense, while Clyde faces $15,000 in fines for two offenses.

The lawsuit, filed in the D.C. district court late Sunday, asserts that the fines violate the 27th Amendment, which prohibits docking a lawmaker's pay during Congress, and Article I, which prohibits the arrest of a lawmaker while traveling to official business.