House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’ll sponsor legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Capitol Police and other agencies that protected the Capitol during the deadly insurrection last month.
"As we see what’s being presented, we also see the extraordinary valor of the Capitol Police who risked and gave their lives to save our Capitol, our democracy, our lives," Pelosi said of the House impeachment managers’ case strategy, which includes never-before-seen footage of the riot and the actions of the Capitol Police that day.
In one clip shown Wednesday, officer Eugene Goodman can be seen pointing Sen. Mitt Romney to safety.
Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick succumbed to his injuries a day after the January 6 attack, one of five people killed as a result of the riot.
Two other officers later took their own lives, a sign of the ongoing emotional trauma connected to the siege.
Over 70 Capitol Police officers were hurt.
"They were martyrs for our democracy, those who lost their lives," Pelosi said.
The honor is the highest Congress can give, awarding them as the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Per procedure, at least two-thirds of the House and Senate needs to co-sponsor the legislation before it’s considered in committee.
"We must always remember their sacrifice and stay vigilant against…the silent artillery of time. We will never forget," Pelosi added.
The first recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal was George Washington.
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