Three GOP Texas congressmen vote against honoring the Capitol Police

Three Texas congressmen voted against a resolution honoring the US Capitol Police on Wednesday for its efforts to protect members of both houses amid a violent uprising on Jan. 6.

Republican U.S. Representatives Michael Cloud of Victoria, Louie Gohmert of Tyler, and Lance Gooden of Terrell voted against a resolution awarding Congressional Gold Medals – the “ highest expression of the legislative chamber’s national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions ” – to members of the police force from the Capitol. The bipartisan resolution was about 413-12.

A Politico report earlier Wednesday stated that Trump’s Congressional allies were trying to “scrap references to the insurgency” from the resolution. Before the vote, Gohmert had circulated a watered-down resolution who did not mention the attack and tried to distance himself from the deaths of officers Brian Sicknick and Jeffrey Smith from the date of January 6, as they both died the following days. Authorities recently charged two alleged rioters with assaulting Sicknick with a chemical spray, but it remains unknown whether that exposure caused his death. Smith died of suicide a few days later.

Gohmert issued a statement prior to the vote.

“HR 1085 does not honor anyone, but rather tries to direct a story that is not substantiated by known facts,” he said. “We absolutely want to show our gratitude and respect for the US Capitol Police, so I removed the speaker. False and politicized narration to enact legislation that truly honors those who selflessly serve us in Congress.”

Cloud said he also disagreed with the language used in the bill.

“I’ve always stood by and supported our brave law enforcement and still do, but this bill wasn’t really about that despite its name,” he said in a statement. Rather than simply honoring the Capitol Police who bravely protected the Capitol on January 6, Speaker Pelosi added harmful language that makes the bill unnecessarily burdensome. The text refers to the Capitol as the temple of democracy – simply put, it is no temple and Congress should not refer to it The federal government is not a god.

Gooden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Republican US representatives Jodey Arrington of Lubbock and Kevin Brady of the Woodlands did not vote, but 30 other Texas House members, including Democrats and Republicans, supported the resolution.

The resolution designating the honor was sponsored by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was specifically targeted by the attackers and is third in line of the presidential succession.

The legislation stated that “on January 6, 2021, a mob of insurgents broke into the Capitol building and the offices of Congress and was guilty of vandalism, looting and violent attacks on Capitol Police agents.”

The sacrifice of heroes including Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department Officer Jeffrey Smith, and those who sustained injuries, and the bravery of Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman are examples of Capitol Police’s patriotism and dedication. officers, and those of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in the service of our country, ”the speaker wrote.

The day’s events, in which a gang attacked the legislature in an unsuccessful attempt to block certification of the 2020 election results, are seared in the minds of many members by many members and resulted in the second ousting of former President Donald Trump for his role, making gang. But in recent weeks, the most ardent supporters of Congress have tried to downplay the seriousness of the riot.

Several Texas members braced themselves for hand-to-hand street fights that day, but were able to escape to safety thanks to police and successful barricades.

“All I had was a baseball bat to protect myself and my staff,” US Representative Michael McCaul, an Austin Republican who supported Wednesday’s resolution, reminded the Tribune last month. “We heard they were trying to break the door and then we heard the Capitol police show up. There was a bloody discussion and then they left. “

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