House GOP Retreat Emphasizes Security

Safety is the watchword for Republican House members at their annual retreat that began Thursday in Baltimore. Dozens of Capitol Hill policemen and Baltimore City police surrounded the Marriott Waterfront hotel as the members of Congress arrived, The Hill reports.

“The streets lining the Charm City hotel, located in the Inner Harbor, were congested with bumper-to-bumper U.S. Capitol Police cars, while plainclothes and uniformed cops manned the lobby,” the news service states.

Turnout was high. “With more than 80 new faces to learn, this year’s annual weekend-long getaway outside of Washington will provide members with the opportunity to get to know each other, as well as discuss key issues with influential politicians and pundits behind closed doors,” according to The Hill.