Vox Sentences - Capitol on watch

The House adjourned early over a potential extremist threat; Germany is placing its far-right party under observation.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Gabby Birenbaum.

• House members changed their voting schedule and canceled their Thursday session after Capitol Police warned of increased levels of chatter among extremist groups regarding today’s date. [CNN / Whitney Wild and Jim Sciutto]
• Some federal officials have suggested the online rhetoric is mostly just talk, and do not expect significant demonstrations or travel to the DC area. But after the events of January 6, the Capitol Police have bolstered their presence and enlisted outside help. On Thursday, the police requested a 60-day extension on National Guard deployment around the Capitol. [The New York Times]
• Unlike last time, lawmakers were given advance notice that an identified militia group was discussing attacking the Capitol on March 4. The House moved up an expected vote on a police reform bill from Thursday to Wednesday evening to give representatives the chance to leave town. [The New York Times / Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Matthew Rosenberg]
• March 4 is an important date for believers in the QAnon conspiracy theory. Some are convinced that Trump will be inaugurated again today and begin his second term. Others saw it as a potential date to attempt another insurrection and remove Democratic lawmakers. [Vox / Nicole Narea]
• The date is believed to be significant because it was the original Inauguration Day in American history — though the very first one did not take place until April 30 due to weather. [The Washington Post / Gillian Brockell]
• Even with the shortened week, House Democrats passed massive legislation regarding election reform and police reform, both of which face long odds in the Senate. HR 1, a huge voting rights bill known as the For the People Act, passed with the support of all House Democrats but two, and no Republicans. [CBS News / Grace Segers]
• HR 1 includes voting rights protections and anti-corruption measures. It would create automatic national voter registration, mandate at least 15 days of early voting in all states, restore voting rights for felons, and provide for public financing of campaigns, among other provisions. [Vox / Ella Nilsen]
• The police reform bill would prohibit chokeholds and no-knock warrants at the federal level, create a national police misconduct registry, and incentivize state and local departments to create similar standards. [The Hill / Marty Johnson]
• Despite the security threats, the Senate is planning to stay in session until they have passed their version of the Covid-19 relief bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said. The vote could be long, as Republicans are determined to attack the bill by drawing out the amendments process. One senator even insisted the 628-page bill be read aloud. [The Guardian / Lauren Gambino]
• For more policy analysis, don't miss our Weeds newsletter. Every Friday we break down the biggest policy stories of the Biden administration. Sign up here.