12 House GOP lawmakers voted against Congressional Gold Medals for police who protected them amid Capitol riots

18 March 2021

New interviews show how Capitol rioters came dangerously close to ...

Officers with the U.S. Capitol Police, D.C. Police Department and the Smithsonian Institute risked their own lives to protect lawmakers as a mob of angry Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. But despite their efforts, a dozen Republican lawmakers voted against a resolution to award the officers with Congressional Gold Medals for their courageous acts.

According to The Washington Post, the 12 House Republican lawmakers who opposed the resolution include Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Andrew S. Clyde (R-Ga.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Bob Good (R-Va.), and John Rose (R-Tenn.).

After the vote, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said, "We had to combine it with these editorial comments about the January 6 sequence of events, and then we had to logroll it with this exhibit at the Smithsonian, and … that was a little much for me."

Massie also cited a number of his objections insisting he was not in favor of the use of the word "temple."

The resolution says, "On January 6, 2021, a mob of insurrectionists forced its way into the U.S. Capitol building and congressional office buildings and engaged in acts of vandalism, looting, and violently attacked Capitol Police officers."

It also says: "The desecration of the U.S. Capitol, which is the temple of our American Democracy, and the violence targeting Congress are horrors that will forever stain our Nation's history."

A large number of the opposing lawmakers also expressed concern about the use of the word "insurrectionists." Harris released a statement of his own lambasting the initiative as he described it as a "politically charged publicity stunt."

"The men and women on the thin blue line, including the brave men and women of the United States Capitol Police, should never be used as props for politically charged publicity stunts like this bill," Harris said. "I truly commend the Capitol Police for their actions on January 6th, and am very grateful for their service in keeping us safe each day. But I cannot support partisan charged language found in this bill."

Despite their arguments, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) fired back at the Republicans lawmakers for opposing the esteemed honor despite law enforcement officers' efforts to protect them all.

"It is deeply unfortunate that a number of House Republicans opposed this action as they attempt to erase the events of January 6 and deny the responsibility of a far-right, insurrectionist mob incited by former President Trump," he said in a statement. "Such disrespect for the heroes who courageously tried to protect the American people's Capitol is disgusting."

From Your Site Articles