Missing Jan. 6 Plaque Will Go Up at the Capitol

The Senate has agreed to display a plaque honoring the police who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, rebuffing House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has said the commemorative memorial does not comply with the law, the AP reports. The action happened swiftly, with brief debate, in floor action Thursday. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina had announced during this week's fifth anniversary of the Capitol siege that he would seek to ensure the plaque is installed, partnering with Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who was also working on the situation, and Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California. No senators objected.

"A lot of people said it was a dark day for democracy," Tillis said about Jan. 6, 2021, describing his memory of hearing the thousands of people—"thugs," he said—lay siege to the Capitol as Congress was tallying the 2020 election results. He said that because of the work of the law enforcement officers, it instead became a great day for democracy. "We came back and completed our constitutional duty to certify the election," he said. "We owe them eternal gratitude and this nation is stronger because of them." This week, senators stepped up after learning the plaque, which had been approved by Congress more than three years ago, was nowhere to be found at the Capitol. Instead, many House lawmakers have been hanging up replicas outside their office doors.

The Senate also appeared to be motivated by the shifting narrative from President Trump's White House about what happened Jan. 6, 2021—a new report blames Democrats and police. "It's so important we be honest with the American people about what happened," Merkley said, as he called the resolution up for passage. "It's so important we recognize those who defended our democratic republic on that day," he said, and that "people know we came back, as senators and House members, and finished our work that day, for the peaceful transfer of power." Padilla said part of the context is the White House's new website that he said is an "attempt to rewrite history." He said that "dishonors" the officers. "The Senate bipartisan commitment to real history is strong," he said.