Protests over passage of health care law lead to security concerns by Democratic lawmakers

Democrats express safety concerns after protests

WASHINGTON — House Democrats are expressing concerns about their personal safety following protests over health care legislation.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday that officials from the FBI and Capitol Police briefed Democrats on how to handle perceived security threats.

Hoyer says lawmakers who feel that they are at risk of harm are getting attention from the proper authorities.

Hoyer says some posters depict a lawmaker’s face in the crosshairs of a target.

Protests swirled around the Capitol during debate on the health care bill last weekend. Protesters hurled racial slurs at several black lawmakers and one protester spat at one black lawmaker.