Statehouse pausing for one week

INDIANAPOLIS — The threat of violence at the Indiana Statehouse has paused the lawmaking process for a week.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday that the government center will be closed to the public and the Indiana General Assembly will be suspended for a week beginning Monday hours after the FBI and Indiana State Police reported Friday that potentially violent protests are expected in downtown Indianapolis near government buildings today through Wednesday.

“We’re just closing out of an abundance of caution,” said State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), who represents parts of northeast Indiana including Jay County. He continued, saying many members of the Senate “are not happy” but that it was “the right thing to do.”

“We can’t take any risk to put anybody in danger,” Holdman said.

Insurrectionists invaded the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6 in a deadly and unprecedented episode while Congress was in session to certify November presidential election results. President-elect Joe Biden is to be inaugurated Wednesday, and state and federal agencies are anticipating the possibility of nationwide violence.

“It’s just unfortunate that we have to worry about this in this day and age,” said State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) on the increasing level of politically charged violence in recent weeks.

“We have differences as a nation. That’s part of being a democratic-republic. But ultimately we need to work together as Hoosiers and Americans,” said Prescott, who represents all of Jay and Randolph counties and parts of Delaware County.

Holdman shared that sentiment of peace, quoting the wisdom of his grandmother, who he reported as often saying nothing good can come out of words said while angry.

The Assembly has been in session for two weeks. The closure only affects what would have been three days of committee and chamber-wide sessions as the statehouse was already going to be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and lawmakers typically don’t conduct legislative action on Fridays this early in the session.

But with an agenda already filled with COVID-19 legislation, the biennium budget and a redrawing of Indiana lawmaker’s districts, three days can have a significant impact on the legislative session.

“It means we’ve got to work a little bit harder,” Holdman said, adding that the Assembly is still expected to adjourn for the final time this year April 29.

Holcomb is scheduled to give his annual State of the State Address in a virtual format at 7 p.m. Tuesday.