Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, we, as Members of Congress, all personally experienced the January 6 insurrection. And we owe it not only to the people of our Nation, but to the democratic institutions in which we serve to investigate this attack, prosecute those involved to the full extent, and ensure that such an event never happens again. Madam Speaker, there is only one man, one person who is quoted on the walls of this august Chamber, this people's House.

Madam Speaker, that quotation is above your head, and it is by that man, Daniel Webster. This Nation was founded on the principle that we are a Nation of laws, not based on the caprice or the whim of people. We are a Nation of laws and there was no stronger advocate for that principle than Daniel Webster.

And he said this: He said: The law: it has honored us; let us honor it by executing it in its fullest severity.

If we don't do a proper job of investigating that insurrection on January 6 and prosecuting the people at fault, and the people in derogation of the criminal laws of this Nation, we will make a mockery, a sham of everything that Daniel Webster stood for.

To achieve the goal of full accountability and adherence to the law in my position of chair of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriation Subcommittee, I have been actively involved in addressing the issues raised following the January 6 insurrection, beginning with the immediate investigation and continuing over the days and weeks following the attack on the Capitol.

My subcommittee dug into the subject at public hearings this spring. We explored the subject of domestic violent extremism in our hearing with the Attorney General and the Justice Department's national security division.

Based on the results of these efforts, the CJS Subcommittee included funding for three priorities from January 6 security supplemental: Reimbursing several Justice Department bureaus for the January 6- related expenses; more resources to enhance the security of Federal judges; and most importantly, increased resources for Federal prosecutors to ensure they have the funding to implement the widest possible prosecution policy aimed at bringing to justice the perpetrators of January 6.

Again, I urge my colleagues to support this critical piece of legislation to ensure the safety and security of our democracy. Madam Speaker, I thank my fellow subcommittee chairs.

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