January 6, 2026
Mr. Padilla (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Peters, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Schiff, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Smith, Mr. Reed, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. King, Mr. Kim, Mr. Booker, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration
Observing the fifth anniversary of the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, and recognizing the essential work of United States Capitol personnel, including the United States Capitol Police.
Whereas, on January 6, 2021, violent insurrectionists, carrying Confederate flags and symbols, ransacked the Capitol, destroying property and vandalizing the building in an attempt to disrupt a joint session of Congress to count the electoral ballots and certify the results of the 2020 presidential election;
Whereas, for nearly 5 hours, those violent attackers used bear spray, flag poles, fire extinguishers, pipes, bats, bricks, and other items to assault law enforcement officers from the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies who bravely defended the Capitol that day;
Whereas more than 100 law enforcement officers were injured defending the Capitol, including sustaining traumatic brain injuries, cracked ribs, smashed spinal discs, and stabbings, and the events of that day contributed to the deaths of 5 officers who later passed away;
Whereas, in the days following the January 6 attack, the Senate unanimously passed and Congress rightly awarded Congressional Gold Medals to the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, recognizing the many officers who deserve the deep gratitude of the United States for putting their lives on the line to protect the Capitol and the democratic process of the United States;
Whereas Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–103), which was signed into law on March 15, 2022, directing that a plaque be placed on the western front of the United States Capitol to honor the United States Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers who responded on January 6, 2021, yet nearly 4 years after passage, the Speaker of the House has failed to comply with that law and allow the completed plaque to be installed;
Whereas Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff were there to pick up the pieces and deserve the distinct honor and gratitude of the United States, as they also put their lives on the line serving the United States on January 6, 2021;
Whereas the work of United States Capitol personnel, including the United States Capitol Police and Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff, allowed Members of the Senate to return to the Senate Chamber to continue its constitutional duty to certify the electoral votes and secure the democracy of the United States;
Whereas the United States Capitol Police officers and Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff and other essential workers, including food services staff, come to work each day and do their jobs with skill, dedication, and dignity; and
Whereas the work of the Capitol Police and Capitol personnel is too often overlooked, but remains essential to the functioning of the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)
expresses gratitude for the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, personnel of the United States Capitol, and all the responding law enforcement officers for their bravery and service to the United States;
(2)
recognizes the strength and commitment of the personnel of the United States Capitol who bring skill and dedication to their work every day and who worked through the night on January 6, 2021, and in the days following, to restore dignity to the United States Capitol and to ensure the democracy of the United States continues to function; and
(3)
reaffirms its commitment to protect against efforts to undermine democracy and to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, including defending the legislative branch.