# What This Resolution Actually Does

This is a statement from the House of Representatives condemning the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot and calling for accountability. It's important to understand that this isn't a law that changes anything directly—it's more like an official declaration of the House's position on what happened that day. Think of it as Congress going on record saying "we believe this was wrong and here's what we think should happen next."

The resolution makes four main statements. First, it declares that President Trump knowingly incited the violent insurrection. Second, it says that anyone who participated in, helped with, or encouraged the Capitol riot should be prosecuted under federal law and could be barred from holding office under the 14th Amendment. Third, it calls on the House Ethics Committee to investigate any House members who participated in, aided, or encouraged the riot—and potentially recommend expulsion from Congress. Fourth, it makes a similar call for the Senate to investigate its own members.

In practical terms, this resolution doesn't automatically prosecute anyone or remove anyone from office. What it does is create political and institutional pressure for action. It's essentially the House saying publicly that they believe certain people should face consequences and asking their own internal ethics committees to look into whether House and Senate members broke the rules. Whether anything actually happens depends on whether those committees take action and whether prosecutors decide to bring charges. The resolution is a statement of principle, but the real consequences would come from separate legal proceedings and ethics investigations that would happen afterward.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the violent insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

 <p>This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald Trump did knowingly and purposefully incite a violent and unlawful insurrection against the United States and that action should be taken to prosecute or sanction any individual who participated in or facilitated this insurrection, including Members of Congress.</p>