Democrat U.S. House Reps Pay $50 Fine After Capitol Grounds Arrests, Avoid Prosecution or Discipline From House Ethics Committee

We reported earlier this month that U.S. House Rep Joyce Beatty (D-OH) was arrested while protesting in the Hart Senate Office building on Capitol Grounds in Washington D.C.

Since then, two more Democrat Congressional representatives have been arrested outside of that building for blocking the door to the building during protests.

According to reports, Beatty and one of the two arrested, U.S. House Rep Hank Johnson (D-GA) were able to pay a $50 fine to avoid further prosecution.

On Monday, Washington Examiner reporter Emily Brooks reported, “House Ethics Committee announces it will take no further action in the matter of Rep. Joyce Beatty, one of nine people arrested earlier this month during a protest for voting changes in a Senate office building. She paid a $50 fine.”

House Ethics Committee announces it will take no further action in the matter of Rep. Joyce Beatty, one of nine people arrested earlier this month during a protest for voting changes in a Senate office building. She paid a $50 fine. Story from arrest https://t.co/4LCK7lLgZY

— Emily Brooks (@emilybrooksnews) July 26, 2021

As for Johnson, the ethics committee report said:

Representative Johnson was released following his arrest. Representative Johnson informed the Committee he paid a $50 fine prior to his release. The legal proceedings related to his arrest are expected to be resolved with no further action.

The Committee voted against impanelling an investigative subcommittee in this matter. The Committee considered the scope and nature of the conduct described above and determined that review by an investigative subcommittee is not required in this matter.

The Committee has determined to take no further action in this matter, and upon publication of this Report, considers the matter closed.

U.S. House Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) was the latest Congresswoman arrested and it is unclear if she will get the same deal or not.

In a tweet, Lee explained, “Acts of civil disobedience birthed this nation and remain the true hallmark of our liberty. From the Boston Tea Party to the March on Washington, Americans have engaged in peaceful protest and legal noncompliance to preserve and protect the right to vote, as I did yesterday.”

Acts of civil disobedience birthed this nation and remain the true hallmark of our liberty. From the Boston Tea Party to the March on Washington, Americans have engaged in peaceful protest and legal noncompliance to preserve and protect the right to vote, as I did yesterday. pic.twitter.com/7VIJ0mW7xW

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) July 30, 2021

Meanwhile, many of the Jan. 6 defendants face years in jail as federal prosecutors are playing hardball.