The officers missed their first full paycheck Oct. 10th.

“They’re asked to be everything to everybody,” said Terry Gainer, a former Capitol Police chief. “You need to be ready at the drop of a hat to take very aggressive enforcement action, but you also have to be a person who will welcome visitors and be a tour guide.”

Gainer says the job is tougher than ever, as public officials face growing threats and violence.

Gesturing toward two officers guarding the ornate Senate Reception Room, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., says she feels for the force’s more than 2,000 officers and that Democrats are to blame for the impasse.