Twelve Republican lawmakers have voted against awarding Congressional Gold Medals to the officers who defended the Capitol on January 6. Members of the GOP have claimed that they did not vote for the bill because they feel it included language that was too "partisan" to approve.
“I cannot support partisan charged language found in this bill,” Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland said.
One of the most vocal dissenters has been Rep. Louie Gohmert. Gohmert said that the bill attempts to “drive a narrative that isn’t substantiated by known facts." He added that the "bill does not honor anyone." It appears that the disagreement emerged after the bill described the Capitol as a "temple" of American democracy and that the rioters who stormed the Capitol were "insurrectionists." Due to their disagreements, he issued a bill of his own that garnered support among the vocal minority that disapproved of the original bill.
“We absolutely do want to show our gratitude and respect for the U.S. Capitol Police, so I removed the Speaker’s false and politicized narrative in order to arrive at legislation that truly honors those who selflessly serve us in Congress,” Gohmert said.
"Law enforcement officers are worthy of gratitude and praise for their service and sacrifice in our communities every day, not just when politically convenient for Speaker Pelosi. I support Rep. Louis Gohmert's pro-police bill," Rep. Bob Good added.
Ultimately, the officers that defended the Capitol were awarded Congressional Gold Medals by a vote of 413-12. This is the second time officers have been recognized for their efforts on January 6. Recently, the U.S. Senate voted to reward officer Eugene Goodman for steering rioters away from the Senate Chambers as the chaos ensued.
“The alternative resolution they have proposed insults the memory of the officer who was killed defending the Capitol and the two others who died as a result of the attack in its immediate aftermath, using language implying that the three officers did not lose their lives in the line of duty,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said.
“Such disrespect for the heroes who courageously tried to protect the American people’s Capitol is disgusting.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images