In continued efforts to defend democracy and uncover how the Jan. 6 attacks on our nation’s Capitol will impact it moving forward, the House Democratic Policy Committee will discuss the intersection of the constitution, the ethics act and culpability of those who incite or participate in violence and disinformation campaigns. The meeting will be held virtually from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account --@padempolicy. The media and public are invited to tune in. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members hope to gather information on the oath of office, the spread of false information in regards to our recent elections, and what criminal violations may have been committed by those attempting to discredit American democracy. WATCH THE HEARING HERE: Read more

HARRISBURG | Jan. 19 – In continued efforts to defend democracy and uncover how the Jan. 6 attacks on our nation’s Capitol will impact it moving forward, the House Democratic Policy Committee will discuss the intersection of the constitution, the ethics act and culpability of those who incite or participate in violence and disinformation campaigns. The meeting will be held virtually from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account --@padempolicy. The media and public are invited to tune in. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members hope to gather information on the oath of office, the spread of false information in regards to our recent elections, and what criminal violations may have been committed by those attempting to discredit American democracy. Gerry Gendlin, constitutional law professor, will discuss the history of constitutional remedies to sedition. Shira Goodman, Anti-Defamation League, and Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, will discuss decoding hateful messaging and symbolism. U.S. Reps. Susan Wild and Conor Lamb will share their experience while under siege in the Capitol on Jan. 6. Frederick Lawrence is a hate crimes expert and will discuss the evolution of hate crimes and community and legal response. The meeting is one in a series addressing the false allegations of election fraud that Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – Today, the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from an array of testifiers on how hate speech, lies and misinformation played a role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and how those who’ve taken an oath of office may have played a part. “As public servants, we are held to a higher standard. The people deserve better from their public officials than manipulative rally cries fed by blatant lies,” Bizzarro said. Professor Gerry Gendlin, who works in Edinboro University’s History and Politics Department; Shira Goodman of the Anti-Defamation League; Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh; and Frederick Lawrence, Georgetown Law, all provided perspective on the how hate speech fueled the Capitol attack and insight into the role that those who’ve taken the oath of office had in it. “One of the most poignant remarks of the day was, just because it isn’t illegal, doesn’t mean it isn’t wrong. We heard today about how many of the elected officials that fueled the flames of insurrection took things just to the line. Wrong is wrong and we must call on our colleagues to acknowledge the role they played in that deadly day,” Bizzarro said. Congresswoman Susan Wild recounted her experience fleeing violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Congressman Conor Lamb highlighted his efforts to investigate and define the movements that are perpetuating hate. “I Read more

As their national counterparts debated whether to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, Pennsylvania House leaders on Wednesday said they expect to hold Republican members of the state Legislature accountable for contributing — through words and actions — to last week’s unrest at the U.S. Capitol. Read more

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The new President is sworn in. The election is long over. But at the state Capitol, lawmakers began unraveling exactly what happened on Election day in Pennsylvania. Read more

HARRISBURG, PA — On Thursday, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee recently heard from an array of testifiers on how hate speech, lies and misinformation played a role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and how those who’ve taken an oath of office may have played a part. Read more

Agenda and testimony for the Jan. 21, 2021 hearing on the Oath of Office. Read more