Politics

House Democrats Seek Punishment For Republican Colleagues Connected To Capitol Riot

(Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Dylan Housman Deputy News Editor
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House Democrats introduced resolutions to punish their Republican colleagues connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, including to censure, investigate and even possibly remove those who they claim “incited” the attack. 

Democratic New Jersey Rep. Tom Malinowski and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz introduced a resolution Monday to censure Republican Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks, according to Forbes.

Brooks spoke Wednesday to the rally-goers who later became rioters at the Capitol, saying, “Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.”

Democratic Missouri Rep. Cori Bush, sponsored a resolution Jan. 7 calling for House Republicans who helped incite violence to be investigated by the House Ethics Committee.

“We must hold these Republicans accountable for their role in this insurrection at our nation’s Capitol as part of a racist attempt to overthrow the election results,” Bush said Monday.

Some Democrats have cited the 14th Amendment as grounds for punishment of their Republican colleagues. Section three of that amendment bars officials from holding office who “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion…or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof,” Forbes reported. (RELATED: President Donald Trump Declares A State Of Emergency For Washington, DC)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she “valued” her colleagues’ views on the 14th Amendment in a letter to her caucus Sunday night, according to Forbes. Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern told CNN that Democrats would “have to talk about” using the amendment. 

Brooks has not yet directly addressed the Democrats’ actions in Congress, but said Friday he had “no apology for doing my absolute best to inspire patriotic Americans to not give up on our country.” 138 House Republicans voted not to certify Pennsylvania’s electoral votes after the Capitol riot Wednesday, and 121 more voted against Arizona’s, according to Forbes. 

Republican Arizona Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs have also come under fire for their roles in the riot, having been accused of helping to organize the mass protest that turned violent. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert also faced a censure prior to Jan. 6 for saying there would be “violence in the streets” if the election wasn’t overturned, Forbes reported.