Title: Expressing the sense of Congress that the insurrection at the United States Capitol involved acts of domestic terrorism, and condemning the instigating role of the Proud Boys in these acts.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
This resolution makes various statements related to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among other things, the resolution

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 115 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 115

 Expressing the sense of Congress that the insurrection at the United 
States Capitol involved acts of domestic terrorism, and condemning the 
           instigating role of the Proud Boys in these acts.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 11, 2021

 Mr. Espaillat (for himself and Mr. Garcia of Illinois) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of Congress that the insurrection at the United 
States Capitol involved acts of domestic terrorism, and condemning the 
           instigating role of the Proud Boys in these acts.

Whereas the Proud Boys are a White supremacist, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, 
        anti-Semitic, neofascist, misogynistic, chauvinist, extremist 
        organization that frequently attacks and intimidates those who oppose 
        their tenets;
Whereas leaders and members of the Proud Boys have frequently confirmed that 
        they are an organized entity with rituals, a leadership structure, and 
        chapters around the United States;
Whereas the Proud Boys frequently and haughtily employ violent tactics to target 
        marginalized communities;
Whereas during the Presidential debate on September 30, 2020, when asked by 
        moderator Chris Wallace to condemn ``white supremacists and militia 
        groups'', former President Donald Trump responded by saying that the 
        Proud Boys organization should ``stand back and stand by'';
Whereas during the insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, 
        members of the Proud Boys organization openly led a preplanned, 
        treasonous attempt to overturn the results of a legitimate, democratic 
        Presidential election;
Whereas photographic and video evidence indicate that members of the Proud Boys, 
        including some wearing tactical gear and earpieces, violently desecrated 
        the Capitol and threatened the lives of Members of Congress, 
        congressional employees, law enforcement, and innocent bystanders;
Whereas several members of the Proud Boys organization have been charged by 
        Federal officials for their roles in the insurrection at the United 
        States Capitol;
Whereas, as described in a Federal complaint recently filed against Proud Boys 
        leader Dominic ``Spaz'' Pezzola, in the days following the attack he and 
        ``other members of the group'' talked about how they would have ``killed 
        then-Vice President Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi if they had the 
        chance'';
Whereas for their roles in other violent acts, members of the Proud Boys have 
        been tried and convicted in the United States court system for ``gang 
        assaults''; and
Whereas violent political acts carried about by the Proud Boys around the 
        country have left numerous people seriously injured, including police 
        officers and peaceful protesters: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) determines that the Proud Boys have engaged in acts of 
        domestic terrorism, including at the United States Capitol;
            (2) adjudges that the insurrection at the United States 
        Capitol on January 6, 2021, involved acts of domestic terrorism 
        as the term is defined in section 2331(5) of title 18, United 
        States Code;
            (3) underscores and condemns the instigating role of the 
        Proud Boys organization in the insurrection;
            (4) condemns the use of violence to advance political 
        ideologies;
            (5) condemns violent and discriminatory behavior;
            (6) urges the Department of Justice and State and local law 
        enforcement entities to recognize and address the threat posed 
        by the Proud Boys and other individuals and organizations that 
        espouse and promote White supremacy; and
            (7) encourages the Department of Justice and State and 
        local law enforcement entities to intensify efforts to hold 
        members of the Proud Boys legally accountable for their violent 
        actions at the United States Capitol and elsewhere.
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