Washington, D.C. — Today, on the two-year anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Reps.-elect Dean Phillips (D-MN), Jason Crow (D-CO), and Dan Goldman (D-NY) announced they will introduce a resolution permanently designating January 6^th as “Democracy Day.”  The resolution is ready to go and supported by more than two dozen fellow lawmakers – but the Members have been barred from introducing it as Republican gridlock in the House Speaker election drags on into its fourth day.

Democracy Day would commemorate the U.S. tradition of peaceful transitions of power and honor the sacrifices of those who have preserved this hallmark of democracy. Each year on Democracy Day, state and local governments, civil and educational authorities, and the people of the United States would be urged to observe the day with programs and activities.

“Annual observance of Democracy Day will help ensure that the American People never forget how fragile our democracy is – and the vigilance required to maintain it,” said Phillips. “January 6^th was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, and the business of governing for the people is serious and sacred. I hope Americans of all political persuasions will join me in thanking law enforcement and staff whose actions in the face of tremendous personal danger helped preserve an over 220-year, unbroken tradition of democratic transitions of power – and in recommitting to its preservation for future generations.”

“We must never forget the violent attack on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021,” said Crow. “I saw with my own eyes just how close we came to losing our democracy. Benjamin Franklin famously said we have a republic, if we could keep it. Today, I stand with a majority of Americans who remain committed to the hard work of upholding those founding ideals. I look forward to celebrating Democracy Day in the years to come as a symbol of that commitment every year.” 

“Designating January 6th as Democracy Day is a necessary step to ensuring that the horrific attack on the cradle of our democracy is never forgotten,”  said Golden, who served as lead counsel in the first impeachment of Donald Trump. “But the January 6 insurrection is also a reminder that the forces of authoritarian extremism have not loosened their grip on the Republican Party, and we must remain vigilant in the fight to preserve and protect our democracy. This fight is far from over but it is an existential one, and Democracy Day will help ensure that we are focused on the fundamental values that make our country so special.”

Phillips and Crow were among a small group of Members and reporters who were trapped in the House Gallery as insurrectionists carried out a violent attack against the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to prevent lawmakers from certifying the outcome of the 2020 Presidential election. For the second year in a row, Phillips and other members of the “Gallery Group” will host a luncheon in the Capitol for members for law enforcement and staff. The attack ultimately resulted in multiple deaths and physical harm to over 140 members of law enforcement - and would have been worse but for their bravery.

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