Costa Issues Statement on One Year Anniversary of Jan. 6 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol

Statement

Rep. Jim Costa issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the United States Capitol Building. Rep. Costa was one of dozens of members of Congress trapped in the House chambers on the day of the attack as Congress was certifying the results of the 2020 Presidential Election.

A year ago today for me was the saddest day in modern history at the United States Capitol. Our Capitol Building has been the symbol of democracy for 245 years, and a reflection of democratic governments around the world. To think that our nation would witness the violent trespassing into the Capitol, the parading of a Confederate flag through the Capitol Rotunda, was a violation of the law and the spirit of what the American Constitution stands for.

The violation of the law was to overturn a fair and free election by the American people, by stopping the certification of the Electoral College. Our tradition and history has always guaranteed a peaceful transfer of power after election results have been certified. In both instances, the perpetrators and organizers including the former president, must be held accountable for their actions that day.

Congress is in the process of getting to the facts of that fateful day through the Select Committee on Jan. 6 to ensure this never happens again. The independent action being taken by the Attorney General and the Justice Department is to bring to justice those who violated the law.

We must get to the bottom of this to ensure that this never happens again in our country. I will do all I can to ensure our Democracy withstands the test of time and that every American's vote is counted and respected.

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