Today is a somber anniversary. On January 6, 2021, a violent mob assaulted our Capitol, the officers who defend it, and the very concept of democracy that it represents.
It is a bitter irony that this date is paired with the meltdown, in the House of Representatives, of any semblance of leadership from the Republican party whose leader invoked and directed the attack. House Republicans literally cannot get their act together to muster 218 votes for a candidate for Majority Leader, and so cannot lead. They’ve now held almost a dozen contentious rounds of ballots.
Even worse (or better), none of the nominees has garnered close to the 212 votes cast by House Democrats for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
While savory, this moment is harming our country and our ability to address the challenges we face. So I hope you will mark today in your heart. Talk about it with a young (or not) person, and continue actively supporting our democracy.
As we enter 2023, fortify yourself against the indifference that comes with time. The January 6 Committee has given us a lot of material, and more may be coming from the Department of Justice. Don’t miss this 11-minute video from the Committee of key moments from that dark day, and from witness testimony in the hearings. It’s one for the ages.
For democracy, for Democrats,
Diana Conway
WDC President
Also:
• Read the Final J6 Committee Report
• View the C-SPAN video of hearings plus transcripts for each witness