Nancy Pelosi introduces bill to award Capitol Police with congressional gold medals
- Pelosi has asked all lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill
- Seven people died and dozens of police officers were injured amid clashes with the rioters at the Capitol on January 6
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced legislation on Thursday to award congressional gold medals to the US Capitol Police and Washington’s police force for protecting the Capitol on January 6 against an assault by rioters.
That day, hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol to prevent the certification of the presidential election victory of Democrat Joe Biden.
Lawmakers, including Trump’s vice-president, Mike Pence, were forced to flee the violence for hours. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died in the mayhem, while two other officers who responded to the attack died afterward. Dozens of police officers were injured amid clashes with the rioters.
“We have been reminded of the extraordinary valour of the United States Capitol Police, the men and women who risked and gave their lives to save ours, becoming martyrs for our democracy,” Pelosi said in a statement.
Pelosi has asked all lawmakers to co-sponsor the bill. The legislation would create three congressional gold medals to be given to the US Capitol Police and Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department as well as to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research purposes.