A bill named for a Sharpsville man who took part in the January 6, 2021, Capitol Riot has been introduced by Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Greene introduced the Matthew Lawrence Perna Act of 2024 on March 1.

Perna, who was convicted of witness tampering, disorderly conduct, and two counts of entering a restricted building or grounds, died by suicide before his sentencing.

According to a release from Greene's office, the Matthew Lawrence Perna Act of 2024 "ensures that the political persecution witnessed in the aftermath of January 6th is curtailed by the law."

The bill would include several reforms including barring the detention of nonviolent political protesters, ensuring fair and speedy trials, limiting government surveillance and investigation, mandating that judges impose consistent sentences with applicable guidelines for defendants involved in covered political protest offenses, and permitting a transfer of venue in criminal trials for nonviolent political protesters in Washington, D.C.

Perna died at the age of 37. His obituary stated that Perna attended the January 6, 2021 rally to "peacefully stand up for his beliefs," and did not break into the Capitol, but entered through an open door.

The January 6th insurrection was an invasion of the Capitol building as Congress was certifying the results of the 2020 election that sought to interrupt the proceedings based on lies casting doubt on the results. 

Proceedings were delayed for hours before being finalized late into the night, certifying the election for Joe Biden, but not before widespread damage and injury. 

The obituary said Perna's "heart broke and his spirit died," because he was persecuted by members of the community, as well as repeated postponements in his court case.

In the days following Perna's death, three Republican members of Congress claimed he was an example of Capitol Riot suspects who they said were being persecuted by the Justice Department. Marjorie Taylor Greene was one of the three representatives, along with Louie Gohmert of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona.

Perna and six others from the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys were charged in connection to the Capitol Riot.