President Biden honored former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and several other Americans Thursday with the Presidential Citizens Medal to recognize their service to the country.
Cheney was recognized for her service in Congress and on the special House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, and for speaking out about the importance of democracy.
When her name was called, the public address announcer said she was being honored “for putting the American people over party.” Cheney received a standing ovation from those in the East Room as she stood with Biden.
Biden also gave the medal to Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who served as chair of the Jan. 6 committee. He was recognized for his “lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.”
Other honorees included former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.); former Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.); Mary Bonauto, who argued for marriage equality in front of the Supreme Court as part of the Obergefell case; NBA champion and former Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.); former Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans; and former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.).
Cheney’s honor fell flat among Republicans, who have accused her of fueling partisan tensions.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said earlier Thursday that Biden “was either going to pardon Liz Cheney or give her an award. She doesn’t deserve either. She represents partisanship and divisiveness — not Wyoming.”
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