US Senate committees urge new security steps after Capitol riot

WASHINGTON: Two Senate committees assessing security at the U.S. Capitol in light of January's deadly attack recommended on Tuesday giving the Capitol Police chief greater authority and developing plans for rapid response by the Pentagon.

During the Jan. 6 riot by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, the Pentagon spent hours assessing pleas for help from Capitol Police, the committees found in a bipartisan report. The violence left five dead. When finally deployed by the Pentagon, D.C. National Guard troops did not arrive at the Capitol until about 5:20 p.m., nearly three hours after they were requested and by which time the House and Senate chambers had already been declared secure.