Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement regarding the security breach and threat to the U.S. Capitol Building:
“Today, violent rioters breached the United States Capitol Building in response to what should have been a ceremonial verification of an election. Enabled and incited by the President, and with intentions to discredit our Democracy, sow fear, and incite violence, these rioters stormed the United States Capitol. This disgraceful mob assaulted Capitol Police officers, vandalized the floor of the United States Senate, attempted to break into the House Chamber in an armed standoff, broke Capitol windows, destroyed property and forced the campus into lockdown. The lives of my colleagues, law enforcement, Congressional staff and even the protesters were put in danger today by this assault on the rule of law,” said Rep. Hayes.
“These actions are an affront to the American people, to our democracy, and to the sacred nature of our electoral system. While voters have a right to be disappointed at the outcome and even a constitutional right to dispute the results, they have no right to violence or to violate the American tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.
In my nearly 15 years of teaching American history, I could have never found the words to explain this act of sedition to my students. The damage that this President and these rioters have done to our democracy is incomprehensible. The work of repairing the chasms in our electorate and faith in our republic rests squarely on our shoulders.
Throughout this constitutional crisis, I remained in the Capitol complex, ready to cast my vote to preserve the votes of the American people in this presidential election. I will not be dissuaded by a band of menacing cowards who refuse to concede an election. We will remain resilient in the face of this challenge, and ready to continue to protect our democracy.
Thank you to all who reached out to ensure my safety during this time. It continues to be my privilege to serve.”
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Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year.
Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.