Former US Vice President Dick Cheney and Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney were the only Republicans in the House chamber Thursday to observe a moment of silence on the first anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack. 

“It’s an important historical event,” Dick Cheney said, referring to the anniversary of the insurrection. “You can overestimate how important it is.”

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a moment of silence on the House floor. 

“I’m deeply disappointed we don’t have better leadership in the Republican Party to restore the constitution. Republican Party’s leadership is not a leadership that resembles any of the folks I knew when I was here for ten years,” Cheney added. 

Also read: January 6 Committee – formation and proceedings timeline

The Democrat, who served as VP under George W Bush, further said that his daughter Liz is an exception. The Wyoming Rep is the vice chair of the House select committee investigating the attack on the Capitol. 

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 “I am deeply disappointed at the failure of many members of my party to recognize the grave nature of the January 6 attacks and the ongoing threat to our nation,” Cheney added. 

Five people died during the Capitol riots. Capitol Police Officer Brian D Sicknick died “due to injuries sustained while on-duty. “He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” a Capitol Police statement said.