Capitol Remembrance Act Mandates Permanent Jan. 6th Exhibit: New Display to Feature Artifacts, Photos, and Memorial Plaque Within Two Years

The Capitol Remembrance Act directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a permanent exhibit documenting the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This exhibit, mandated to be completed within two years, will be placed in a prominent location within the Capitol building. (SEC. 2)

Remembering January 6th

The core of this bill is straightforward: It's about creating a lasting, physical reminder of the events of January 6th. The law specifies that the exhibit should include, whenever possible, actual damaged property from the Capitol, existing photographs of the attack, and a plaque. This plaque is specifically designed to honor the U.S. Capitol Police, other law enforcement agencies, and individuals like Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, who died in the wake of the attack, as well as injured officers, and Capitol staff who played a role in restoring the building. The bill also allows for the inclusion of artwork depicting the attack. (SEC. 2)

Making It Happen

To ensure this exhibit becomes a reality, the bill authorizes the appropriation of funds. This means Congress is green-lighting the money needed to design, build, and maintain the exhibit. Crucially, the funds are designated to "remain available until expended," which means there's no strict time limit on when the money must be used, giving the Architect of the Capitol flexibility in managing the project. (SEC. 2)

What It Means

This act essentially turns a significant historical event into a permanent fixture within the Capitol. Think of it like a museum exhibit, but instead of ancient artifacts, it's preserving the physical and visual remnants of a recent attack on American democracy. For a Capitol Police officer who was there that day, this exhibit could serve as a powerful reminder of their service and sacrifice. For a family visiting the Capitol, it could be a sobering educational experience. The exhibit would provide a place to reflect on the events of that day, and recognize the resilience of the people who kept the wheels of government turning. The inclusion of damaged property, if feasible, would offer a tangible connection to the violence of that day, while the photographs and potential artwork would provide further context and visual documentation.

The bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a permanent display. No funds have been appropriated, the bill simply authorizes the spending. The bill does not name a specific amount, leaving the details of the exhibit's scope, budget, and specific content to the Architect of the Capitol, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.