Backing censure resolution, Phillips says: “To my Republican colleagues calling for unity and healing; neither are possible without accountability. Separate yourselves from seditionists. Condemn insurrectionists.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress reconvenes to reckon with the first breach of the United States Capitol since 1814, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced he is supporting a resolution censuring Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05) for inciting violence against his fellow members of Congress. Phillips is a co-sponsor of the measure authored by Reps. Tom Malinowski (NJ-7) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), which details Brooks’s involvement in the events leading up to the attack on Capitol Hill.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, Brooks addressed the crowd, including numerous members of known extremist and anti-government groups, that would soon try to seize the Capitol and prevent the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate from discharging their Constitutional duties to count Electoral College votes in certification of the 2020 presidential election. After denouncing Republican and Democratic members of Congress who were planning to affirm the presidential election, he urged participants to “start taking down names and kicking ass.” Armed with metal rods, bats, and firearms, many rally goers then marched to the Capitol, forcibly and unlawfully entered, hoisted Confederate battle flags, put national security at risk, and assaulted police officers. The violence led to the murder of United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and four other deaths, dozens of injuries, and caused physical damage to U.S. Capitol property. After inciting these acts of insurrection, Brooks made the following statement: “I make no apology for doing my absolute best to inspire patriotic Americans.”
“Indeed, Mr. Brooks, we’ve taken down names,” said Phillips. “The names of each of you who’ve inspired insurrection, promoted disinformation, and incited violence. You will be held to account. To my Republican colleagues calling for unity and healing; neither are possible without accountability. Separate yourselves from seditionists. Condemn insurrectionists. Demand that the President dissuade those planning violence in his name. The future of our country is in your hands.”
Find the text of the Brooks censure resolution here. Censure resolutions against additional members of Congress are expected this week.
Tonight, Phillips will vote in favor of a resolution urging Vice President Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.
Phillips is also a co-sponsor of the Article of Impeachment introduced by Reps. David Cicilline (RI-01), Ted Lieu (CA-33), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08). With more than 210 co-sponsors, the House will move to impeach the President on Wednesday in the absence of action from the Vice President and Cabinet.