Pelosi Floor Remarks Commemorating One Year Since the January Sixth Insurrection  

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Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks from the podium of the House of Representatives during today's pro forma session marking one year since the January 6th insurrection and observing a moment of silence honoring those who lost their lives protecting the U.S. Capitol that day and in its aftermath. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. The Chair will address the Chamber.

Today, one year ago, the Capitol and those who work within it were targeted in a violent insurrection that sought to undermine democracy. As we acknowledge the horror of that day, we honor the heroism of so many, particularly U.S. Capitol Police, institutional staff, Floor, Leadership, Committee and Member staff.

We had a session this morning where we could say thank you to many of them. Unfortunately, COVID did not enable us to have the full House. We will have another time when the Attending Physician allows.

But, as we acknowledge the horror of that day, in the face of extreme danger, they all risked their safety for our democracy by protecting the Capitol complex, Members, staff, press, et cetera, the press within, safeguarding the ballots in those mahogany boxes to validate the election and ensuring that Congress could accomplish our purpose and honor our duty to the Constitution and to our country.

That day and the days after, they were the defenders of our democracy, and their courage and patriotism remain an inspiration. Because of them, Congress was able to defeat the insurrection, to return to the Capitol that same night, to ensure that the peaceful transfer of power took place. Because of them and our Members, the insurrection failed.

One year later, this sacred space where Members legislate, children learn, visitors are welcomed, was defiled and damaged – we know that. As we reflect on that darkest day, we remember that the insurrectionists sought not only to attack the building, but to undermine democracy itself. When the violent assault was made on the Capitol, its purpose was to thwart Congress's Constitutional duty to validate the electoral count and to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. But the assault did not deter us from our duty, I say again, and this Capitol, a symbol of democracy to the world, that evening, the Congress, because of the courage of all of you, rose to honor our oath and protect our democracy.

We did so, honoring the words of President Lincoln during the Civil War. ‘Fellow citizens,' he said, ‘We cannot escape history. We will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal insignificance or significance can spare us one or another. We hold the power, therefore we bear the responsibility,' Lincoln said.

Today, we accept responsibility as daunting and demanding as any the previous generations of leadership have faced. Since the January 6th insurrection, there have been continued assaults on our democracy, undermining the sanctity of the vote and the integrity of our elections, which are the basis of our democracy.

Let us be true to the vision of our Founders who brilliantly established our democracy and made it a model for the world. Let us honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who protect that freedom with their lives.

And, let us remember the word of another president, our patriarch, President George Washington. When he delivered the Constitution to the Congress, he said this. He said, ‘This Constitution represents the creation of a government which would allow for the continuation of rigorous debate but relies upon the common sense and good faith of the American people to find the better angels of our nature.'

As we proceed, let us find our common ground, reach our nation's heights with liberty and justice for all, remembering the words of our great patriarch and in the spirit that our Chaplain referenced of President Lincoln, ‘with malice toward none' and ‘with charity toward all.'

Let us acknowledge today – as I conclude, I want to acknowledge our fallen heroes of that day, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Officer Jeffrey Smith, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans, of a later assault.

Now, I ask all Members to rise for a moment of silence in their memory.

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