Proposed Legislation Targets Jan. 6 Defendant Compensation
Five years after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Senate Democrats are introducing new legislation aimed at preventing federal taxpayer money from being allocated to individuals convicted in connection with the event.
One proposed bill, reviewed by CBS News, seeks to prohibit the establishment of any compensation fund intended to award money to individuals involved in the Capitol breach.
A second piece of legislation, titled the "No Settlements for 5 January 6 Law Enforcement Assaulters Act," would explicitly ban the use of federal tax funds for civil legal settlements with January 6 defendants who have been convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers. This bill is sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-California), who is Vice-Chair of the Senate Rules Committee, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Advocacy for Defendant Reimbursement
Some individuals and groups supporting January 6 defendants have publicly advocated for a reparations fund. This fund would aim to reimburse these defendants for legal expenses and other costs incurred during their prosecutions, particularly for those who received pardons.
Mark McCloskey, an attorney, has stated on social media platforms his efforts to "expedite the establishment of a claims resolution procedure" for "J6 compensation."
Previous Settlements
The Trump administration has previously authorized at least one civil settlement related to the January 6 event. An approximately $5 million settlement was approved for the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to breach a window into the House Speaker's Lobby on January 6, 2021.
The administration's potential consideration of further financial settlements with January 6 defendants remains unclear.
Official Statements
Senator Padilla stated that his legislation aims to "hold these rioters accountable and protect taxpayers." Senator Whitehouse commented that the January 6 attack was "an assault on our democracy" and referenced "Trump's blanket day-one pardons for members of the January 6 mob."