Senators introduce bill to award Officer Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal

A bipartisan bill was introduced in the Senate on Friday to award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal for his actions during the riot that occurred Jan. 6. 

The bill was introduced by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Ben Cardin (D-Md). It seeks to gives Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal after he was credited for leading rioters away from a door to the Senate.

“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,” Tillis said Friday. 

Goodman previously served at Ford Bragg in the XVIII Airborne Corps. His actions were caught in a video taken by Igor Bobic from The Huffington Post. 

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive. The bill describes Goodman’s actions and how they “left an indelible mark on American history.”

“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,” Tillis said. “I am honored to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation awarding him the Congressional Gold Medal.”

At this week’s inauguration, Goodman was recognized with the honor of escorting then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.