Mar 17, 2021 - Politics & Policy

House votes to honor police who responded Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Jacob Knutson

Members of the Capitol Police outside of the Capitol building during a ceremony for Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick in February. Photo: Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The House voted 413-12 on Wednesday to honor police officers who responded to the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot with Congressional Gold Medals, among the highest of civilian honors.

Why it matters: If passed by the Senate, the legislation would award one medal to the U.S. Capitol Police, another to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District Columbia and a third to the Smithsonian in recognition of the officers who responded to the siege.

The bill commemorates Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed while trying to defend the building, and mourns Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood and Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, who both died by suicide days after responding to the riot.
It also applauds Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman for moving protesters away from the Senate chamber.

All no votes came from Republicans:

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.)
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas)
Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.)
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)
Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas)
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.)
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.)
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.)
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)
Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.)

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House votes to honor police who responded Jan. 6 Capitol riot

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