The United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill awarding congressional gold medals to Capitol police officers who helped protect lawmakers and the building from rioters on Jan. 6, despite 21 Republicans voting against it on Tuesday.
Among those Republicans were Congressman Chip Roy, who represents parts of San Antonio, Austin and Kerrville.
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The bill, by a bipartisan majority of 406-21, honored Capitol police who endangered their own lives while trying to protect the building from rioters who attempted to stop the certification of the election which sealed President Joe Biden’s victory over former President Donald Trump.
During the riots, more than 140 officers suffered physical injuries and 15 were hospitalized. Among those injured was Officer Brian Sicknick, who later died of a stroke.
In a press release, Roy defended his “no” vote.
“I previously voted in favor of H.R.1085 in support of those brave men and women,” Roy said. “However, this legislation has since been amended to include events that have absolutely nothing to do with January 6th.”
Roy took issue with the bill adding another deadly event near the Capitol that took place months after the riot on April 2, 2021. In that incident, U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans was killed when a man struck him and another officer with his car at a barricade.
The attacker, identified as Noah Green, showed support for the Nation of Islam and its leader Louis Farrakhan, who has been described as an anti-Semitic extremist.
“Because this incident does not fit into the left’s narrative, the Democrats and media have been silent about this attack,” Roy said. “I will always back the blue and recognize the bravery of law enforcement— they are true American heroes. I will however, not condone this obvious political maneuver by the Democrats.”
Two other Texas Republicans voted no on the bill along with Roy, Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Victoria, and Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler.