Amid a surge of lawsuits filed by pardoned January 6 defendants seeking financial compensation, House Democrats on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at preventing any taxpayer money from being awarded to participants in the 2021 Capitol attack. The bill, sponsored by North Carolina Representative Deborah Ross, would prohibit the creation or use of any federal “January 6 compensation fund” and block refunds of restitution, fines, or other court-ordered payments made by convicted rioters — including those later pardoned.
Ross said the pardons granted to riot defendants had “re-traumatized” victims and effectively relieved offenders of responsibility for millions of dollars in damage caused during the assault. The proposal follows concerns raised during a January hearing, where lawmakers criticized efforts by some defendants and advocates to secure government payouts. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by California Senator Alex Padilla, whose committee oversees the U.S. Capitol Police and Capitol grounds.
The push comes after the Justice Department approved a roughly $5 million civil settlement to the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by a Capitol Police officer during the breach. Meanwhile, Capitol Police officers injured in the attack testified they have not received comparable compensation. According to court filings cited by lawmakers, damages from the riot exceeded $3 million, with only a fraction paid before the pardons were issued. Ross’s bill has already gained support from leading Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee and the Committee on House Administration.
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