Should Capitol Police & Other Law Enforcement Who Defended the Capitol During the January 6th Riot Be Recognized With Congressional Gold Medals? (H.R. 1085)

What is H.R. 1085?

(Updated September 14, 2021)

This bill would direct the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for three Congressional Gold Medals to be awarded to the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and other law enforcement agencies that protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. After these medals are awarded, one would be given to the USCP, one would be given to the Metropolitan Police Dept. of the District of Columbia, and one would be given to the Smithsonian Institution to be displayed with a plaque listing all law enforcement agencies that participated in protecting the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Argument in favor

The law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol and lawmakers during the January 6, 2021 riot are heroes. They should be recognized as such with the Congressional Gold Medal in order to acknowledge their bravery during one of the worst days for injuries among U.S. law enforcement officers since the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Argument opposed

Individual law enforcement officers whose actions on January 6th were particularly commendable, including Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman who was already awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, Officer Brian Sicknick who died after defending against the riot, and others should receive individual awards rather than a collective honor.

Impact

Law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot; the U.S. Capitol Police; the Metropolitan Police Dept. of the District of Columbia; and the Smithsonian Institution.

Cost of H.R. 1085

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) introduced this bill, which she has asked all lawmakers to support, to award Congressional Gold Medals to the U.S. Capitol Police and the District of Columbia metro police force for protecting the Capitol on January 6, 2021, during an assault by pro-Trump rioters. In a Dear Colleague letter to all Members, Speaker Pelosi said:

“We have been reminded of the extraordinary valor of the United States Capitol Police, the men and women who risked and gave their lives to save ours, becoming martyrs for our democracy. The outstanding heroism and patriotism of our heroes deserve and demand our deepest appreciation, which is why I am honored to introduce legislation to pay tribute to the Capitol Police and other law enforcement personnel who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6 with the Congressional Gold Medal: the highest honor that the Congress can bestow.  The service of the Capitol Police force that day brings honor to our Democracy, and their accepting this Gold Medal will bring luster to this award.”

Acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman expressed appreciation for this bill: 

“To have our police officers’ bravery acknowledged at a time when they’re experiencing tremendous emotions and exhaustion is a gift. We have too many heroes to count and we are humbled Congress may recognize them in this way.”

This bill has 333 bipartisan House cosponsors, including 208 Democrats and 125 Republicans. 

Of Note: The Congressional Gold Medal is considered to be one of the most prestigious ways for Congress to recognize individuals or institutions and express public gratitude on behalf of the nation. To award it, Congress passes a bill that is signed into law by the president, at which point there is a process for designing, minting, and awarding the gold medal. After the medal is struck, a formal ceremony is often scheduled for it to be awarded to the recipient. It is not to be confused with the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is the nation’s highest military award for bravery and is awarded by the president in the name of Congress.

The first Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to George Washington during the Revolutionary War in 1776, and for decades it was primarily awarded to military leaders. Since then, it has been awarded more broadly to over a hundred individuals and groups, including the Little Rock Nine, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Fallen Heroes of 9/11.

All Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be cosponsored by at least two-thirds of the House and Senate before either chamber’s committees will consider the bills. This legislation has passed this threshold.

The January 6 Capitol riot represented one of the worst days of injuries for U.S. law enforcement since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. At least 138 officers — 73 from the Capitol Police and 65 from the Metropolitan Police Dept. in Washington, D.C. — were injured, according to the respective departments. The officers’ injuries ranged from bruises and lacerations to more serious damage, such as concussions, rib fractures, burns, and even a mild heart attack.

Media:

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Dear Colleague Letter
  
• Reuters
  
• HuffPost
  
• New York Times (Context)
  
• Causes - Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Officer Eugene Goodman