As lawmakers prepare to certify the 2024 election, the security measures and atmosphere on Capitol Hill are notably different from previous years. This certification marks the first since the violent attack on January 6, 2021, when protesters turned a routine procedure into a deadly riot at the US Capitol.
The security presence at the Capitol building and surrounding congressional offices has significantly increased compared to four years ago. Previously, there was only one ID checkpoint to access the Capitol from the Senate office buildings, but now there are three, accompanied by a heightened police and security presence.
