Joint Resolutions to condemn the January 6 insurrection.
Let's put the House and Senate on record:
1. The January 6 insurrection was wrong.
2. We commend for Mike Pence for faithfully doing his duty.
It should be an easy, non-controversial vote, but it won't be.
By the end of the day on January 6, 2021 nearly everyone condemned what had taken place. Both Democrats and Republicans said the violent attack on the Capitol was wrong. Even Trump eventually said it, along with saying he loved the rioters. Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy condemned it sharply. Lindsay Graham said his Trump romance was over. January 6 looked like the breaking point.
Then it wasn't. Lindsay Graham got harassed at an airport and he switched back on Trump. In the days and weeks following the insurrection other Republican officeholders changed their language. Trump wasn't giving up and he still had a huge following. Officeholders heard from them. Republicans and Trump-friendly media proposed alternative understandings of what happened that day. Some said the violence itself was wrong, but false-flag Democrats or Antifa in disguise were doing it. Others claim the worst of the rioters were deep-state FBI provocateurs egging on the crowd. Others say the rioters were mostly tourists invited into the Capitol doing no harm, good people, with a few bad apples. Others posited the rioters were there with good intention--they were patriots--saving democracy with a little justified violence, like the Boston Tea Party.
Donald Trump telephoned the family of Ashly Babbitt--the woman shot and killed by a Capitol police officer while she tried to climb through a broken window to enter the Senate chamber. He called her a hero. That got media attention. There was no media attention paid to GOP officeholders denouncing Trump for this, because there were none. Too many GOP voters think the attack on the Capitol was justified. Best say nothing.
The anniversary of January 6 is an opportunity for America. It is an opportunity for Democrats to declare the insurrection wrong and Mike Pence a hero. The reflexive response of Republicans will be to oppose the resolutions. Republicans will call them partisan gamesmanship. That is true. The resolutions create a hard, divisive vote for Republicans and Democrats know that and love it.
It is also partisan gamesmanship for Republicans to denounce the resolutions as partisan. On January 6 Trump tweeted "Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution" He still maintains that position. Trump-loyal people will desperately want to vote no. The resolutions expose the potential fissure within Republicans, and the dilemma for them. Support the insurrection or support Trump. Silence and mumbling let them avoid a public choice. Republicans would rather de-legitimize the process of having to vote.
Congressional Democrats can propose two simple resolutions, to be voted on in each chamber. Short is best. There should be no fine points to quibble over.
Joint Resolution One might read:
The Congress condemns the shameful and violent attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 by people calling for Congress to stop certification of the 2020 presidential election.
Joint Resolution Two might read:
The Congress recognizes and commends Vice President Michael Pence for his role in faithfully carrying out the duties of his office on January 6, 2021 under difficult circumstances.
These resolutions are as bare and simple as a light switch, yes or no. Was the Capitol insurrection right or wrong? Was Pence right or wrong?
If Republicans in Congress cannot vote yes for these, it is important that Americans know this. A no vote means one openly supports an insurrection against the government and that one refuses to support a Republican doing his constitutional duty. Mumbling doesn't work here. Yes or no.
Great idea Peter.