Reps. Crow, Espaillat, Dean Lead Letter Urging Speaker Johnson to Rightfully Honor Law Enforcement Officers Who Responded to the January 6, 2021 Attack on the US Capitol

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger, led a letter with Reps. Espaillat (D-NY-13), Dean (D-PA-04) and 55 of his colleagues urging Speaker Mike Johnson to comply with a federal law requiring the placement of a plaque on the western front of the US Capitol to recognize the law enforcement officers who responded to the January 6, 2021, attack.

In the letter Congressman Crow and his colleagues urge Speaker Johnson to fully comply with H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, which mandates that a plaque be placed on the western front of the US Capitol honoring the service and sacrifice of the law enforcement officers who responded that day. The plaque was due to be placed by March 15, 2023, and despite the Acting Architect of the Capitol testifying to Congress last year that the plaque was complete, the placement of the plaque continues to await action from Speaker Johnson. 

The Members specifically highlight the toll of that terrible day, including several law enforcement officers dying following the attack and more than 140 assaulted during the course of the siege. The Members also emphasize the lingering effects of that day on many involved, with officers sustaining serious physical and mental injuries that prevented them from returning to service. 

“As Members of Congress, we owe a debt of gratitude to these brave officers who defended the Capitol and allowed us to get to safety. We request an update from you regarding your timeline for following the law and placing this plaque,” the Members said in the letter.

The Members continued: “Every day Congress fails to live up to our promised actions, we do a disservice to our men and women in uniform who help protect Members of Congress, congressional staff, our constituents, and the American people.”

As a member of the group who was trapped in the US House gallery as the attack unfolded, Congressman Crow has worked hard to ensure the lessons of January 6, 2021, are never forgotten. Congressman Crow recently re-introduced the Capitol Remembrance Act, legislation to establish an exhibit in the Capitol in honor of the brave law enforcement officers who were injured and killed in the attacks; he previously introduced this bill in the last two Congresses. 

A PDF of the letter can be found here, with full text appearing below:  

January 16, 2025 

Speaker Johnson: 

Every day, members of the U.S. Capitol Police work to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s Capitol complex, Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the millions of Americans who visit each year. 

On January 6, 2021, a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol. During the siege on the Capitol that day, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, over 140 police officers were assaulted, including over 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Several law enforcement officers, including Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood, Jeffrey Smith, Gunther Hashida, and Kyle DeFreytag, died following this attack. Many others sustained serious physical and mental injuries that prevented them from returning to service. 

The United States Congress recognized the sacrifices of these brave law enforcement officers in 2022 with the passage of a law to erect a plaque to honor members of law enforcement who responded to the January 6, 2021, attacks. Specifically, H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, states: 

“Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this bill, the Architect of the Capitol shall obtain an honorific plaque listing the names of all of the officers of the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and protective entities who responded to the violence that occurred at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, and shall place the plaque at a permanent location on the western front of the United States Capitol.” 

This bill was signed into law by the President on March 15, 2022, and a plaque was due to be placed by March 15, 2023. However, as of today, this plaque has not yet been placed on the western front of the U.S. Capitol. This is despite the Acting Architect of the Capitol testifying to Congress last year that the plaque was complete. It is our understanding that this matter awaits action by you, as Speaker of the House, to place the plaque as directed by law. 

On January 31, 2024, a spokesperson for your office said you were “looking into the matter and determining a path forward.” Subsequently, on May 16, 2024, your spokesperson said that “your office was working with the Architect of the Capitol to get the plaque mounted.” 

We urge you to ensure this plaque to honor the brave law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6th will be placed without further delay. As Members of Congress, we owe a debt of gratitude to these brave officers who defended the Capitol and allowed us to get to safety. We request an update from you regarding your timeline for following the law and placing this plaque. 

Every day Congress fails to live up to our promised actions, we do a disservice to our men and women in uniform who help protect Members of Congress, congressional staff, our constituents, and the American people.

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