> At a Glance
> – The Senate unanimously ordered a plaque honoring officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
> – The move sidesteps Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to comply with a 2022 law mandating the memorial.
> – The plaque will hang in a public Senate corridor until a permanent bipartisan location is agreed on.
>
> Why it matters: It keeps alive a five-year promise to honor police while the House and Trump administration try to recast the attack’s narrative.
Five years after the Capitol siege, the Senate acted alone Thursday to honor the officers who fought off rioters, brushing aside House Republican resistance and installing a commemorative plaque in its own wing of the building.
Senate Fast-Track
The bipartisan resolution-introduced Monday by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)-passed by unanimous consent, requiring no House vote or presidential signature. It directs the Architect of the Capitol to mount the plaque “in a publicly accessible location” inside the Senate wing until a final site is negotiated with the House.
- Tillis, who is retiring in January, said the Senate settled the matter “in three days.”
- He suggested two interim spots:
- First-floor visitors’ check-in area
- Third-floor corridor en route to the Senate gallery
> Tillis told reporters:
> “We got a defect, let’s fix it. This is a fast way to get it up, and then it will stay up until a final permanent place is found.”
Why the Delay?
A 2022 federal law required a plaque listing the names of officers; the version produced listed agencies instead. Speaker Mike Johnson’s office called the statute “not implementable,” stalling installation. Johnson, who spearheaded the 2020 election-overturn lawsuit for then-President Trump, has not committed to hanging any version.
| Sticking Point | 2022 Law Language | Produced Plaque |
|---|---|---|
| Required Text | Officer names | Agency names |
| Johnson Position | “Unimplementable” | No action taken |
Legal Pressure Continues
The Senate action does not end litigation brought by officers who sued over the government’s failure to follow the original law. Attorney Brendan Ballou, a former Jan. 6 prosecutor, said the suit will proceed until the plaque has a permanent home.
> Ballou stated:
> “I’m pleased the plaque will ensure that the officers who defended those inside are honored … until the plaque has a permanent home, as required by law, our litigation will continue.”
House Democrats vow to finish the job if they regain control. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi predicted:
> “Just wait 10 more months. Hakeem Jeffries will be speaker and we will place it in the place of honor.”
Key Takeaways
- The Senate bypassed House objections to honor Jan. 6 officers now, not later.
- The plaque will hang inside the Senate wing until both chambers agree on a permanent spot.
- Litigation and political fights over the memorial-and how the riot is remembered-are far from over.
With the 2024 election reinstalling Trump and fueling efforts to recast the Capitol assault, the Senate’s move ensures the officers’ stand remains etched-at least in one corridor-on Capitol Hill.
