us capitol

'I was calling my husband wearing a gas mask': US lawmakers open up after January 6 Capitol siege

The five people who died due to injures suffered included two Capitol police officers and three protestors.
By and
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Congressmembers Madeleine Dean and Brian Fitzpatrick got emotional as they discussed their experiences after the January 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection.
WASHINGTON (WPVI) -- Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA 4th District) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA 1st District) got emotional as they discussed their experiences one year after the January 6 US Capitol insurrection.

"We heard pounding on the door. I was calling home. I was calling my children and my husband wearing a gas mask," said Dean.
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Fitzpatrick said, "Capitol police or security had gone to the microphone and said that I'll never forget. I'll never forget this. 'The Capitol has been breached, but we have it under control.' Those are two comments that don't make any sense."

Images later that week surfaced on social media of local lawmakers on the floor of the House as the Capitol became under siege.

Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.AP
A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.AP
A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.AP
Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.AP
Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021.AP
Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.AP
Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.AP
Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda on Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.AP
Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP
An ATF police officer cleans up debris strewn across the floor of the rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.none
Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021.none
A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington.none
A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021.none


The five people who died due to injures suffered included two Capitol police officers and three protestors.



The Capitol sustained $1.5 million in damage.

Fitzpatrick and Dean both voted to continue certifying the election.

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RELATED: Pennsylvania congressional leaders reflect on 1 year since January 6 US Capitol insurrection

New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew and Representative Dan Meuser, whose district includes part of Pennsylvania's Berks County, voted against certifying the election.

Dean was called to serve as one of nine impeachment managers.



Fitzpatrick voted against the impeachment so did Vandrew and Meuser.

But Fitzpatrick drafted language to censure Former President Donald Trump.
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Both Fitzpatrick and Dean reflected on how democracy prevailed that day.

"We must do certain things to memorialize that day to remember things we shouldn't forget," she said.

Fitzpatrick added, "I would like to see a commemoration of everybody we lost who was injured. And a reminder that democracy came under attack and democracy sustained and succeeded."

RELATED: 7 hours, 700 arrests, 1 year later: The Jan. 6 Capitol attack, by the numbers

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