Washington, DC — Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the attack on the Capital highlights the need to ensure free and fair elections.
Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says U.S. Senate passage of a voting rights bill “is the key priority right now.” In August, Axne voted for the HOUSE bill that would restore federal oversight of states with a history of voting discrimination and make it more difficult for states to close polling places.
Axne says she’s very concerned by a recent Washington Post survey indicating a third of Americans believe violence against the government is sometimes justified. She also cites a National Public Radio poll that found nearly two-thirds of Americans believe our republic is at risk of failing.
Axne was in Washington, D.C. a year ago, but was not in the Capitol when rioters breached the barriers. Axne says more must be done to secure the building. She also says the work of the House committee examining last year’s riot is critical.
Republican Senator Joni Ernst says her view on the events of January 6th hasn’t changed.
Ernst says they have to forget about politics and do their job.
Ernst says it’s time to move forward.
Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion issued a written statement on the one-year anniversary, calling the violence that day horrific and thanking Capitol Police for their bravery. Hinson says those who broke the law on January 6th should be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
