Lawmakers From Both Sides Criticize Pentagon For Keeping National Guard At The Capitol

Republicans and Democrats rarely agree on anything. OK, they never do. But ready or not, they seem to have found some common ground.

No, really. Lawmakers from both sides really are criticizing the Pentagon's decision to keep National Guard troops at the Capitol complex until the end of May. It came after the Pentagon granted the Capitol Police's request to keep about 2,300 guardsmen in the nation's capitol for another two months.

"We cannot ignore the financial costs associated with this prolonged deployment, nor can we turn a blind eye to the effects it will soon have on the National Guard's overall readiness," Rep. Mike Rogers, and Chairman Adam Smith, who is a Democrat, said in a joint statement.

According to The Hill, the additional two months of security will cost $111 million.

Along with guards, the Capitol is currently surrounded by a fence with razor wire, keeping the public from entering the grounds.

"Do we need some changes? We probably do," Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell said. "But it looks terrible to have the beacon of our democracy surrounded by razor wire."

McConnell went on to say the whole thing is "overdone."

House Armed Services Committee leaders from both parties agreed, saying they're "deeply troubled" by the measures that are still in place.