Congress is commemorating the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol with a prayer vigil, panel discussio...
Congress is commemorating the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol with a prayer vigil, panel discussion with historians and an opportunity for reflection from lawmakers who witnessed the attack.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the plans for the ‘solemn observance’ Monday in a letter to fellow Democrats.
'Our nation will soon mark one year since the January 6th deadly attack on the United States Capitol,' she wrote.
'Already, preparations are underway for a full program of events, including a discussion among historians about the narrative of that day; an opportunity for Members to share their experiences and reflections from that day; and a prayerful vigil in the evening.'
The chaos on January 6 erupted as the Senate and House of Representatives met to certify Joe Biden's victory in November's presidential election.
In what was said to be the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812, supporters of defeated Republican President Donald Trump forced lawmakers and Trump's own vice president, Mike Pence, to scramble for safety.
Five people died in connection to the riot, and at least 100 law enforcement agents were injured. More than 700 people have been arrested for their alleged roles in the riots.
Congress will commemorate the first anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot with a prayer vigil, panel discussion with historians and an opportunity for reflection from lawmakers who witnessed the attack, Nancy Pelosi (pictured on Dec. 15) announced Monday
The chaos on January 6 (pictured) erupted as the Senate and House of Representatives met to certify Joe Biden's victory in November's presidential election
In her 'Dear Colleague' letter dated Monday, Pelosi shared that although the House will not be in session on Jan. 6, 2021 any lawmakers who want to participate in the remembrance activities are invited to do so.
'A number of Members have expressed interest in being involved in commemoration activities,' she penned.
'In order for us to fully prepare for Member involvement in this solemn observance, it is necessary to know how many Members will be in Washington on January 6th. If you will be in Washington on January 6th, please email my office.'
Officials have not indicated which lawmakers - Democrat or Republican - will participate in the event.
However, Pelosi noted that commemoration events will be live-streamed so House members can watch and participate from their home districts if they choose to do so.
As the first anniversary of the attack nears, Pelosi revealed - in a letter to her colleagues - that the House would be honoring the lives lost at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021
The speaker also expressed gratitude to her colleagues saying: 'On the heels of an historic legislative session, please accept my gratitude on behalf of the Congress and the Country for all of your hard work.
'This Holiday Season, I pray that you and your loved ones have time to rest and rejoice, as well as renew your strength for the important work in the year ahead.'
Pelosi's letter comes just days after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called the acts of January 6 'horrendous' and said the House's select committee on the Capitol attack needs to find out who was responsible.
'It's a horrendous event and I think what they are seeking to find out is something the public needs to know,' the Kentucky Republican said Thursday in an interview with Spectrum News.
Since the January 6 insurrection, McConnell has walked a fine line, being both a critical Republican, but one who has been unhelpful to Democratic efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
After the House of Representatives impeached Trump for inciting an insurrection seven days after the Capitol attack, McConnell refused to back a conviction in the Senate - which would have barred Trump from running for office again.
Pelosi said preparations are already for a full program of events including: a discussion among historians about the narrative of that day, an opportunity for lawmakers to share and reflect on their experiences, and a prayer vigil (Pictured: Jan. 6, 2020 insurrection at the US Capitol)
During the insurrection - which was said to be the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812 - supporters of defeated Republican President Donald Trump (pictured on Jan. 6) forced lawmakers and Trump's own vice president, Mike Pence, to scramble for safety
Without a nod from leadership, just seven Republicans voted with the 50 Democrats, meaning Trump was deemed not guilty by the February vote.
Sixty-seven votes in the Senate were needed for a conviction.
Afterward, however, McConnell gave a blistering floor speech.
'Former President Trump's actions preceding the riot were a disgraceful dereliction of duty,' the Republican leader said.
He said Trump was 'practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day.'
'The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president,' McConnell said. 'And their having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories, and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth.'
Pelosi's commemoration declaration comes just days after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (pictured) called January 6 'horrendous' and said the House's select committee on the Capitol attack needs to find out who was responsible
Nine people died in connection to the riot, including five police officers, and at least 100 law enforcement agents were injured. More than 700 people have been arrested for their alleged roles in the insurrection (Pictured: Clashes outside of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021)
While McConnell is now seemingly endorsing the House committee's work, he derailed efforts for Congress to create a 9/11-style commission to investigate January 6 in May.
'It's not at all clear what new facts or additional investigation yet another commission could lay on top of the existing efforts by law enforcement and Congress,' McConnell said in the run-up to the failed Senate vote.
After the 9/11-style commission vote failed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided to set up a House select committee, and asked Republicans to play ball.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy selected five Republicans to sit on the committee, including Rep. Jim Jordan, a top Trump ally who voted against certification of President Joe Biden's election.
Pelosi rejected Jordan and another lawmaker who also voted in favor of the election objections, which pushed McCarthy to pull all of his members from the select committee's roster.
Two anti-Trump Republicans, Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, joined the investigation instead.
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