Congressional Republicans are moving to force state and local governments to protect statues and monuments.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) unveiled legislation on Thursday that would prevent local governments from receiving federal funds from grants if they do not protect statues and other monuments.
“Public monuments are indispensable because they tell the American story. It is wrong to erase our history. We should be learning from it,” McCarthy said in a statement.
He continued, “This is lawlessness in its purest and most unacceptable form. Yet too many liberal mayors and governors won’t restore order or arrest the rioters, the most basic duties of government. Many seem to agree with Speaker Pelosi, who excused mob rule as ‘people will do what they do,’ as if that absolves them of their failure to follow the law.”
Finally, McCarthy said, “If state and local officials will not protect historical monuments, then Congress must and will. My legislation has real consequences for states and cities: no order, no funding. It is time to respect our laws, protect our history, and punish the statue smashers.“
McCarthy’s bill comes two weeks after he vowed to introduce legislation that would cut off federal funds to local governments that do no protect monuments from being torn down.
He also took a shot at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has not publicly condemned the tearing down or defacing of monuments.
On July 9, Pelosi was asked about protesters tearing down statues, she said, “People will do what they do.”
“I do think that from a safety standpoint, it would be a good idea to have it taken down if the community doesn’t want it,” she added.
Additionally, she previously dismissed McCarthy’s criticism of her, “I’m trying to save the world from coronavirus.”
“I have no interest in about McCarthy, who hasn’t had the faintest idea of our dynamic in our district,” she added.
