Bill Summary
This resolution is calling for the censure of Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia for his statements downplaying the severity of the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol. The resolution cites the findings of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Oversight and Reform, which found that the attack was indeed an insurrection and that the insurrectionists were armed and intent on causing harm. By stating that the events were not an insurrection and comparing them to a "normal tourist visit," Representative Clyde is disrespecting the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and potentially encouraging future attacks on the Capitol. The resolution calls for Representative Clyde to be formally censured, publicly reprimanded, and required to present himself in the House of Representatives for the censure to be read.
Possible Impacts
1. People who were present at the Capitol on January 6th may feel disrespected and offended by Representative Clyde's statement that the events were not an insurrection.
2. Law enforcement officers who were injured or killed during the insurrection may feel further disrespected and disregarded by Representative Clyde's minimization of the seriousness of the attack.
3. The families of the five individuals who died during the insurrection may feel hurt and offended by the characterization of the events as a "normal tourist visit" by Representative Clyde.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 419 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 419
Censuring Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 20, 2021
Mr. Cicilline (for himself, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Cooper, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Demings, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Jackson
Lee, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Kildee, Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. McEachin,
Mr. Payne, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Jones, Ms. Kelly of Illinois,
Mrs. Torres of California, Ms. Jayapal, and Mr. Espaillat) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ethics
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Censuring Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia.
Whereas in January 2021, the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives released its report, ``Materials in Support of H. Res.
24, Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for
High Crimes and Misdemeanors'', which stated:
``To enter the Capitol, the insurrectionists desecrated the Capitol
including by, among other acts, ransacking and looting Member offices,
stealing and destroying electronics, government property, and sensitive
materials, and engaging in violence, which eventually resulted in at
least five deaths. To enter the Capitol, the insurrectionists
overwhelmed Capitol Police, scaled walls, used makeshift ladders,
shattered windows, and overran barricades. Although Capitol Police
locked the gallery and floor doors and Members and staff barricaded
themselves in offices, the mob stormed Member offices, vandalizing and
smashing property, overturning furniture, and, in some cases, stealing
electronics.
``Insurrectionists also severely damaged the building itself. They
left bullet marks in the building walls, looted art, destroyed
monuments, including a commemorative display honoring late congressman
John Lewis, smeared their feces in several hallways, and fatally injured
a Capitol Police officer. Several brandished the Confederate battle flag
and extremist paraphernalia.
``By approximately 2:45 PM, insurrectionists had breached the House
and Senate floors and began posing for photographs, including on the
dais where Vice President Mike Pence had been presiding just moments
before. Other images showed rioters smoking marijuana in Capitol rooms.
The insurrectionists had, among their gear and weaponry, bullet-proof
vests, zip ties used for handcuffs, metal knuckles, sticks and poles,
knives, and firearms; in total, at least six handguns were recovered
from subsequent arrests. Videos confirmed that these insurrectionists
were openly threatening specific Members of Congress. For example, some
of the attackers said, `Tell Pelosi we're coming for that
[expletive]'.'';
Whereas the Committee's report also stated, ``During the attack, Vice President
Pence, Members of Congress, and staff were sheltering in secure
locations. Spurred by the false claims of fraud, some of the attackers
said, `Tell Pelosi we're coming for that [expletive]', and `Hang Mike
Pence'. Some attackers carried zip ties intended to be used as
handcuffs. A noose was hung outside the Capitol. Multiple members of the
Capitol Police were severely injured or killed.'';
Whereas the Committee's report also stated, ``Later video would emerge of
insurrectionists inside the Capitol chanting `Hang Mike Pence!''';
Whereas on May 12, 2021, during a hearing entitled ``The Capitol Insurrection:
Unexplained Delays and Unanswered Questions'' held by the Committee on
Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives, Representative
Andrew Clyde of Georgia stated that the events that transpired at the
attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 were ``not an
insurrection'' and that to call it an insurrection is a ``bold-faced
lie'';
Whereas on that date Representative Clyde also stated of the insurrectionists,
``Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol and walked
through Statuary Hall showed people in an orderly fashion staying
between the stanchions and ropes taking videos and pictures. You know,
if you didn't know the TV footage was a video from January 6th, you
would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.''; and
Whereas undermining the seriousness of the insurrection that occurred on January
6 against the United States Capitol and Members of Congress, and
dangerously mischaracterizing the events of that day, disrespects the
sacrifices made by law enforcement officers on that day and creates
danger by emboldening and legitimizing future actors who would attack
the United States Capitol in a similar manner: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia be hereby
censured;
(2) Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia forthwith
present himself in the well of the House of Representatives for
the pronouncement of censure; and
(3) Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia be censured with
the public reading of this resolution by the Speaker.
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