(Radio Iowa) – Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the attack on the U.S. Capitol a year ago highlights the need to ensure free and fair elections. “Our democracy is fragile,” Axne says. “…We need Americans to understand that to protect it is really important for all us.” Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says U.S. Senate passage of a voting rights bill “is the key priority right now.” In August, Axne voted for the HOUSE bill that would restore federal oversight of states with a history of voting discrimination and make it more difficult for states to close polling places.

“We have a big election coming up, midterm elections,” Axne says, “and unfortunately across this country, we have seen too many states put in voter suppression laws.” Axne says she’s very concerned by a recent Washington Post survey indicating a third of Americans believe violence against the government is sometimes justified. She also cites a National Public Radio poll that found nearly two-thirds of Americans believe our republic is at risk of failing.

“We are the beacon for light and hope for democracy in the world,” Axne says, “and when a large portion of our population says: ‘I don’t think we’re going to see a safe election the next time,’ we’ve some things to work on.” Axne was in Washington, D.C. a year ago, but was not in the Capitol when rioters breached the barriers. Axne says more must be done to secure the building. She also says the work of the House committee examining last year’s riot is critical.

“Understanding how people were so enticed to literally attack our Capitol is important for us to know,” Axne says. “It means there is something in the American culture that said: ‘This is o.k.'” Republican Senator Joni Ernst says her view on the attack hasn’t changed. “January 6th was a very dark day in American history, and of course those who broke the law on that day should be held accountable,” Ernst says. Ernst says they have to forget about politics and do their job.

“Here in Congress, what we need to do is to continue our work on behalf of the American people, and that is what I am going to be focused on,” Ernst says. “So we really do need to work to get over some of the partisan divides that are out there — but also to focus on solutions for America.” Ernst says it’s time to move forward. “We don’t need the far left driving our agenda, we don’t need the far right driving it. We need to build confidence with the American people,” she says.

Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion issued a written statement on the one-year anniversary, calling the violence that day horrific and thanking Capitol Police for their bravery. Hinson says those who broke the law on January 6th should be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.