One year ago today insurrectionists launched a violent assault on the home of American democracy. My statement: beyer.house.gov/news/documents… 
The crowd that attacked the Capitol included white supremacists and violent rightwing paramilitary groups. They constructed a gallows, and called for the assassination of the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.
Incited by the Big Lie of a lawless President bent on retaining power at any cost –a fact we know is true because the insurrectionists themselves repeatedly said it– they hoped to halt the peaceful transfer of power and overturn the results of an American election.
They failed.
They failed.
They failed because of the courage of heroes in uniform, many of whom have not recovered from the significant injuries suffered that day. Some lost their lives.
Today we remember the pain and suffering inflicted on those who defended the Capitol, and their incredible heroism.
Today we remember the pain and suffering inflicted on those who defended the Capitol, and their incredible heroism.
We remember USCP Officers Brian Sicknick and Howie Liebengood.
We remember MPD Officers Jeffrey Smith, Kyle DeFreytag, and Gunther Hashida.
We acknowledge the anguish their families still feel at their loss.
We remember MPD Officers Jeffrey Smith, Kyle DeFreytag, and Gunther Hashida.
We acknowledge the anguish their families still feel at their loss.
Trump's insurrectionists also failed because of our determination that democracy must prevail.
Congress’ return to the House Chamber to finish certifying the election results ensured that the will of the people would win the day.
It was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.
Congress’ return to the House Chamber to finish certifying the election results ensured that the will of the people would win the day.
It was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.
That night Republicans also took the floor to spread lies about the attack, hours after some of them helped incite the crowd. 139 House Republicans voted against certifying election results, including their leaders. They echoed the same Big Lie cherished by the insurrectionists.
Some Republicans spread worse lies about January 6th in months that followed, and most opposed a bipartisan commission to establish the truth. GOP state legislators wrote laws empowering state officials to overturn the will of the voters. GOP voter suppression laws proliferated.
The House has worked hard in the past year to help right these wrongs. We created a Select Committee to investigate the January 6th attack. We passed bills to ensure that Americans can vote, and that their votes determine who leads this country.
It is vital that the Senate take the actions that are necessary to enact these reforms. Protecting our elections is vastly more important than arcane rules and procedural precedents.
My Senate colleagues must remember the crucial lesson of January 6th: democracy must prevail.
My Senate colleagues must remember the crucial lesson of January 6th: democracy must prevail.
Today I send my love to the Capitol Hill community and capital region. The aftershocks of trauma and heartbreak of January 6, 2021 are ever-present. Let us take care of each other, be unafraid to ask for help, and go forward together in the knowledge that none of us are alone.
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