Taxpayer Money Shouldn't Fund Capitol Rioters, Say Democrats

Five Years Later: New Legislation Proposed

Senate Democrats are advocating for new laws to prevent taxpayer money from being used to compensate individuals who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This initiative comes five years after the event.

Key Proposals

• Prevent Compensation Funds: One proposed law aims to block any compensation fund for the rioters.
• Stop Federal Settlements: Another law would prohibit federal money from being used to pay settlements to those who assaulted police during the attack.

Leading the Effort

Senators Alex Padilla (California) and Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) are at the forefront of these efforts. They argue that the rioters should not be rewarded for their actions.

Background and Criticism

• Legal Costs: Supporters of the rioters have been pushing for a fund to cover the legal costs of those pardoned by former President Trump.
• Settlement Approved: The Trump administration has already approved a $5 million settlement for the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed during the attack.
• Criticism: Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn criticized the idea of reparations, calling it "audacity."

Senators' Stance

Padilla and Whitehouse believe that the rioters should be held accountable. They argue that the attack was an assault on democracy and that pardoning the rioters was a slap in the face to law enforcement. They hope their legislation will prevent taxpayer money from being used to reward the rioters.