Taxpayer Money Shouldn't Fund Capitol Rioters, Say Democrats

Senate Democrats are pushing for new laws to stop taxpayer money from going to people who attacked the U. S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This comes five years after the event. One proposed law would prevent any compensation fund for the rioters. Another law would stop federal money from being used to pay settlements to those who assaulted police during the attack. Senator Alex Padilla from California and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island are leading these efforts. They argue that the rioters should not be rewarded for their actions. Some supporters of the rioters have been pushing for a fund to cover the legal costs of those who were pardoned by former President Trump.The Trump administration has already approved a $5 million settlement for the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed during the attack. It is unclear if more settlements are being considered. Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn criticized the idea of reparations, calling it "audacity. " Padilla and Whitehouse believe that the rioters should be held accountable. They argue that the attack was an assault on democracy and that pardoning the rioters was a slap in the face to law enforcement. They hope their legislation will prevent taxpayer money from being used to reward the rioters.