Reps. Sweeney and Liston finally permitted to testify on bipartisan resolution condemning the January 6th insurrection 

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today gave sponsor testimony before the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee on House Resolution (HR) 14, which condemns the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Nearly two years after the resolution was first introduced, the hearing comes at the same time as the U.S. House select committee investigating the attack has decided to make criminal referrals for former President Donald Trump and a number of his closest allies.

“The January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law. If there are two basic principles we should all be able to agree upon as lawmakers, they are 1) the importance of the peaceful transition of power; 2) the need to condemn political violence,” said Rep. Sweeney. “Regardless of party, we must be able to unify around condemning political violence so that we can prevent it from happening again. It should not be so hard to get my GOP colleagues on board.”

On January 6, 2021, the world witnessed a violent and unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Vice President, Members of Congress, and the democratic process. Rioters, attempting to disrupt the Joint Session of Congress, broke into the Capitol building, vandalized and stole property, and ransacked offices. They attacked members of law enforcement and threatened the safety and lives of our nation’s elected leaders. Tragically, seven individuals, including three law enforcement officers, ultimately lost their lives (per Examining the U.S. Capitol Attack, a bipartisan report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs).

“Extremist groups continue to threaten people and we must speak out,” said Rep. Liston. “This weekend’s Proud Boy and Patriotic Front armed march through a local neighborhood to intimidate a community school highlights how hate has been emboldened. As leaders, we must take a stand against political violence by condemning the events of January 6th and fighting against extremism.”

HR 14 acknowledges the basic facts surrounding the events of January 6, 2021. It unequivocally condemns the political violence of the insurrectionary mob, which threatened the lives of the Vice President, Members of Congress, and law enforcement officers in an effort to subvert the democratic process. It also recognizes the heroic actions of law enforcement that day, especially Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman for his lifesaving actions. 

The resolution now awaits further hearings in the House State and Local Government Committee. Every Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives co-sponsored the resolution. Only one Republican member has signed on in support.