On the recordJanuary 15, 2025
Madam Speaker, last week the House and Senate oversaw the certification of the 2024 election. It was a quick, smooth process. There were no riots, no violence. We completed the peaceful transfer of power as the Founding Fathers envisioned it. Now compare last week's election certification with what we witnessed 4 years ago. Thousands attacked the Capitol. They shattered windows, smashed down doors, assaulted police officers. It was a violent mob and people died as a result. It was all in an attempt to stop the certification of a legitimate election. The insurrectionists and rioters threatened Vice President Pence and referred to him as ``dead man walking'' if he didn't illegally reject the election results. Directly following January 6, leaders on both sides of the aisle spoke out against the antidemocratic acts of the day. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the violence, destruction, and chaos we saw earlier was unacceptable, undemocratic, and un-American. It was the saddest day I have ever had serving as a Member of this institution. Former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was even more clear in his condemnation and assignment of blame. He said: ``There's no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,'' and, ``It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.'' Now, 4 years later, there is a concerted effort to rewrite history.…





