Van Hollen, Coons, Tillis, Brown, and Cardin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Award Officer Eugene Goodman with Congressional Gold Medal

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) introduced legislation to award Officer Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal to honor his heroic actions on January 6, 2021. Goodman, a Marylander, confronted rioters in the Capitol, delaying their access to the Senate chamber and protecting the lives of those inside.

“Officer Goodman is a hero. He protected our democracy by holding off and then diverting a violent mob away from the Senate chamber. His actions on January 6th saved lives – including those of many of our Senate colleagues and staff. Maryland is proud to call him one of our own, and I’m honored to introduce this bipartisan bill to recognize his bravery,” said Senator Van Hollen.  

“Officer Eugene Goodman’s brave and swift response to the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 averted further disaster and may well have saved lives. Confronted by an angry mob and aware of the stakes of the moment, Officer Goodman put his own safety on the line to divert the mob away from the Senate chamber and protect our democratic process. He is a hero to me, my colleagues, and to our entire nation, and the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting recognition of his courageous actions at a time of great need,” said Senator Coons. “Officer Goodman and the Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol building and our democracy that day deserve our utmost gratitude and respect.”

“The attack on the Capitol on January 6 was a tragic assault on our democracy that could have been much worse had it not been for the quick actions by Capitol Police Officers like Officer Eugene Goodman,” said Senator Tillis. “Facing down a mob of rioters, Officer Goodman led the violent mob away from the Senate Floor where they were mere feet away from Senators and the Vice President of the United States. I stand with my colleagues in our gratitude for his actions that will never be forgotten. With a background serving at Fort Bragg and North Carolina ties, he has made our great state proud, and I am honored to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation awarding him the Congressional Gold Medal.”

“We all watched footage of Officer Eugene Goodman putting his own life at risk to save ours,” said Senator Brown. “What was already a tragic day could have been worse if he had not bravely led the violent mob away from the Senate chamber. Bestowing Officer Goodman with a Congressional Gold Medal to honor his commitment and courage on January 6th, is one important way we can thank him for his service on that day and every day.”

“Officer Eugene Goodman’s bravery and quick thinking saved lives and saved democracy from what could have been an even darker tragedy. The Senate and our country owe him an eternal debt,” said Senator Cardin. “All of Maryland is proud of Officer Goodman’s courage and service to our nation.”

This legislation has also been cosponsored by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), .), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).

The text of the bill can be found here.