It was a dry run to wake up the elite's security guards.

The vet was tasked with the attack by his handlers. It wasn't a deadly weapon. The goal was specifically to show the congressman that his goons won't keep him safe and he'd be better off as a restaurant manager.

The next obvious step is that the real assassinations will commence momentarily.

What a beautiful nation, when the laws are decided by which party has fewer reps murdered the night before the big vote. Now that's a system the people can have a choice in!