Three GOP Texas congressmen vote against honoring US Capitol police

Three Texas congressmen voted on Wednesday against a resolution honoring the United States Capitol Police for their efforts to protect members of both chambers in the midst of a violent uprising on January 6.

United States Republican representatives Michael Cloud of Victoria, Louie Gohmert of Tyler and Lance Gooden of Terrell voted against a resolution that awarded Congress gold medals – the “highest expression of national appreciation for achievements and distinct contributions” from the legislative chamber – to members of the Capitol Police force. The bipartisan resolution was passed by 413-12.

A previous Wednesday’s Politico report stated that Congressional Trump allies tried to “erase references to the insurrection” from the resolution. Before the vote, Gohmert a diluted resolution circulated who did not mention the attack and sought to distance the deaths of officers Brian Sicknick and Jeffrey Smith since Jan. 6 because both took place in the following days. Authorities recently accused two alleged protesters for assaulting Sicknick with a chemical spray, but it is not known whether this exposure caused his death. Smith died of suicide several days later.

Gohmert released a statement before the vote.

“HR 1085 does not honor anyone, but seeks to conduct a narrative that is not substantiated by known facts,” he said. “We absolutely want to show our gratitude and respect for the United States Capitol Police, so I removed the false and politicized narrative speaker to come up with legislation that really honors those who serve us selflessly in Congress. “

Cloud said he also disagrees with the language used in the project.

“I have always supported our courageous law enforcement and still do, but this bill was not really about that, despite its name,” he said in a statement. “Instead of simply being about paying tribute to the Capitol Police who bravely protected the Capitol 6 January, Mayor Pelosi included harmful language that needlessly weighs the bill. The text refers to the Capitol as the temple of democracy – it is simply not a temple and Congress should not refer to it as such. The federal government is not a god. “

Gooden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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

The resolution designating the tribute was sponsored by the President of the United States House, Nancy Pelosi, who was specifically targeted by the aggressors and is the third in the line of presidential succession.

The legislation stated that “on January 6, 2021, a mob of rebels forced their way into the United States Capitol building and Congressional office buildings and engaged in acts of vandalism, looting and violent attacks on Capitol police” .

“The sacrifice of heroes, including Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department officer Jeffrey Smith and those who were injured, and Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman’s courage exemplified the patriotism and commitment of Capitol officers, and those from other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives for the service of our country, “wrote the speaker.

The events of that day, in which a mob attacked the legislative branch in an unsuccessful attempt to block certification of the 2020 election results, are etched in the minds of many members and resulted in the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the mob. But in recent weeks, Trump’s most fervent supporters in Congress have sought to minimize the severity of the riot.

Several members of Texas prepared that day for hand-to-hand combat, but managed to escape safely thanks to the police and the successful barricades.

“All I had was a baseball bat to protect me and my team,” Rep. Michael McCaul, an Austin Republican who supported Wednesday’s resolution, told the Tribune last month. “We heard them trying to break down the door and then we heard the Capitol police appear. There was a bloody exchange and then they left. “

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