Like newly elected U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who is conducting his first listening tour since the election, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes is holding a series of brown-bag lunches with constituents this week.
Himes intends to remain accessible to constituents despite the shooting in Arizona during a supermarket meet-and-greet with U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords.
Himes has received death threats during the health care debate, but such incidents "are not a regular occurrence," said Himes spokeswoman Elizabeth Kerr. "We have received them and we contacted the appropriate authorities."
In the aftermath of the shootings, U.S. Capitol police urged members of Congress to take "reasonable and prudent" safety precautions.
Kerr said Himes usually contacts local mayors and first selectmen before he visits a community to discuss logistics and whether security is needed.