Overview

• Kevin A. Batts, a staffer for Sen. Cory Booker and retired law enforcement officer, was arrested Monday evening for carrying a pistol without a license on Capitol Grounds.
• The arrest occurred outside the Senate Galleries after Batts informed Capitol Police that he was armed.
• Earlier that day, a Member of Congress bypassed security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building to escort Batts, raising concerns about Capitol security protocols.
• The arrest came shortly before Sen. Cory Booker began a marathon speech addressing potential government service cuts linked to Republican tax proposals.
• Booker’s office has not commented on the incident, which is under investigation by Capitol Police.