Senator Hirono Statement on Anniversary of the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) issued the following statement on the anniversary of the insurrection that took place on January 6th, 2021:

"Today both the President and Vice President spoke forcefully about January 6, 2021: a procedural day to signify the orderly and peaceful transfer of Presidential power which turned into one of the darkest days in our nation's history. A day where a mob of domestic terrorists attempted to delegitimize our election process; shaking our country to its very core.

"In reflecting on this horrific day, we cannot lose sight of the fact that this physical attack was just one part of a premeditated and ongoing all-out assault on our free and fair elections. Watching armed militia members storm the Capitol was shocking and will undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact on our country. But let me be clear: just because we don't have armed militia members hanging from the rafters of the Senate chamber does not mean that our democracy is no longer under attack.

"Since January 6th, over 500 bills have been introduced by state legislatures across the country with the intention of making it harder for people to vote. Republicans have decided that spreading misinformation and rigging elections by preventing targeted voters from voting is the only way they will retain their power.

"If we don't protect the right to vote, we won't have a democracy--it's that simple."

"We cannot sit back and let one political party continue to unravel the threads of our democracy, one voter suppression bill at a time. The bottom line is we have to fight back and reject these attacks, just like we rejected the insurrectionists one year ago today. As long as the right to vote is under attack, so too is our democracy.

"The Senate must pass comprehensive voter protection legislation. It's clear Republicans will refuse to join us to protect our right to vote, all while hiding behind lies. But I want everyone to know, we have a path forward to protect our democracy--even without a single Republican--and every single Democratic senator needs to get on board."

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