Norton Speaks on House Floor in Support of Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medals to D.C. Police Department and Other Law Enforcement for Protecting Capitol on January 6

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke on the House floor today in support of a bill introduced by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) that would award three congressional gold medals to law enforcement agencies for protecting the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021. One medal would go to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District Columbia, one would go to the U.S. Capitol Police, and one would go to the other law enforcement agencies that responded. Norton said that this bill reminds Congress and the nation that the Metropolitan Police Department, paid for by D.C. residents, who have no voting representation in Congress, voluntarily helped save the Capitol, its occupants, and democracy itself. The House is expected to pass the bill today.

"It cannot be forgotten that the damage done during the attack on the Capitol on January 6 would have been worse were it not for the Metropolitan Police Department, our local police, which is funded by D.C. taxpayers and was responsible for pivotal intervention when most federal police forces did not appear, saving lives," Norton said. "I appreciate the recognition this bill shows for the work of our local police force. An important way to reward them is to ensure that the people they protect in the nation's capital are given full and equal rights by passing our D.C. statehood bill."

Norton's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

I rise to pay tribute to the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the other law enforcement agencies that participated in protecting the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The insurrection that day halted the final leg of congressional business declaring Joe Biden President of the United States. Yet, Congress was able to continue with its business that evening and early the next morning because of the help of the law enforcement officers we honor here today. Then-President Donald Trump urged the crowd to the Capitol and delayed using his authority to deploy the D.C. National Guard in the country's moment of crisis. As a result, I have reintroduced a bill that would give the Mayor of the District of Columbia control over the D.C. National Guard, and I am hopeful that this bill will be brought to the floor during this Congress.

It cannot be forgotten that the damage done would have been worse were it not for the Metropolitan Police Department, our local police, which is funded by D.C. taxpayers and was responsible for crucial intervention when most federal police forces did not appear, saving lives at the Capitol on January 6th. I appreciate this recognition for the work of our local police force. An important way to reward them would be to ensure that the people they protect in the nation's capital are given full and equal rights by passing our D.C. statehood bill.

Congratulations again to the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police and the other law enforcement agencies on these congressional gold medals, which are well-deserved for the protection you provided to our democracy on January 6th.