Three Texas GOP congressmen vote against honoring U.S. Capitol police

Three Texas congressmen voted Wednesday against a resolution honoring U.S. Capitol police for their efforts to protect members of both houses amid a January 6 violent uprising.

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

A Politico report earlier Wednesday claimed that Trump’s allies in Congress were trying to “remove references to the insurgency” from the resolution. Before the vote, Gohmert he had circulated a watery resolution that he did not mention the attack and intended to distance the deaths of officers Brian Sicknick and Jeffrey Smith from the January 6 date because both passed in the following days. Authorities recently charged two alleged riot police with assaulting Sicknick with a chemical spray, but it is unknown if that exposure caused his death. Smith died by suicide several days later.

Gohmert issued a statement before the vote.

“HR 1085 does not honor anyone, but seeks to drive a narrative that is not credited by known facts,” he said. “We want to show our gratitude and respect for the U.S. Capitol police, so I removed the speaker from a false, politicized narrative to come up with legislation that truly honors those who selflessly serve us in Congress.”

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

“I have always been on the side and supported our brave law enforcement and I still do, but this bill was not really about that despite its name,” he said in a statement. “Instead of simply trying to honor the Capitol police who protected him. On January 6, Speaker Pelosi included harmful language that weighs the bill unnecessarily. The text refers to the Capitol as the temple of democracy; in short, it is not a 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.

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

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

The legislation stated that “on January 6, 2021, a crowd of insurgents was forced into the U.S. Capitol building and Congress office buildings and engaged in acts of vandalism, looting, and violently attacked Capitol police officers. “

“The sacrifice of heroes, including Capitol police officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department officer Jeffrey Smith and those injured, and the courage of Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman they exemplify the patriotism and commitment of the Capitol police officers of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in the service of our country, ”the speaker wrote.

The events of that day, in which a mob attacked the legislative branch in a failed attempt to block the certification of the 2020 election results, are scoured in the minds of many members and led to the second removal of former President Donald Trump for its role in inciting the mob. But in recent weeks, supporters of Trump’s most ardent Congress have tried to downplay the seriousness of the uproar.

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

“All I had was a baseball bat to protect me and my staff,” said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, an Austin Republican who backed Wednesday’s resolution that reminded the grandstand 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. “

Outreach: Politico has provided financial support to The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters have no role in Tribune journalism. Find a full list here.