Jan. 6 plaque will be displayed in the Senate wing after delays

The Senate voted to display a plaque honoring the police who defended the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, directing the Architect of the Capitol to place it in a publicly accessible location in the Senate wing; the plaque had been approved years earlier but was not on display.

The Senate has agreed to display a plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack. The plaque had been approved by Congress more than three years ago but was not installed as required. Senators moved quickly and with brief debate to ensure the plaque is placed in a publicly accessible location in the Senate wing. The action follows differing views about the plaque's compliance with the law from House leaders and developments at the White House this week. Key facts: - The Senate passed a resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to prominently display the plaque in a publicly accessible location in the Senate wing until a permanent location is agreed. - The law had called for the plaque to be placed at the West front of the Capitol and required installation in 2023, but the plaque had not been found on site; some House members displayed replicas outside their offices. - Senators Thom Tillis, Jeff Merkley and Alex Padilla led the effort and no senators objected during the floor action. - The House speaker's office has said the plaque, as constructed, does not comply with the law; placing it at the intended West front location would require agreement with the House. - Police groups have sued to have the plaque displayed as required; the Justice Department is seeking to dismiss that lawsuit. - The plaque lists responding law enforcement agencies, and senators said a digital component will be created to list individual officers' names. Summary: The Senate's action ensures the plaque will be publicly displayed in the Senate wing while discussions about its permanent placement continue. Placement at the West front would require House agreement, and a legal case over the plaque's display is pending with the Justice Department seeking dismissal.