Nancy Pelosi creating committee to investigate January 6 Capitol riot
Her move comes nearly a month after Senate Republicans blocked the formation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the insurrection
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced she will create a select committee to further probe the deadly January 6 Capitol riot. Her move comes nearly a month after Senate Republicans blocked the formation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the insurrection.
‘January 6 was a day of darkness for our country,’ Pelosi told reporters on Thursday. ‘Our temple of democracy was attacked by insurrectionists.’
Pelosi had conveyed that she preferred the Senate to approve the bipartisan commission that was set to be modeled after a panel that investigated the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But the majority of Republican Senators banned together in a 54-35 vote on May 28 that essentially killed the commission.
On Tuesday, Pelosi informed House Democratic leaders of her plans to announce a select committee. She followed through two days later, stating that the committee would look at the root causes of the riot including Capitol security breakdowns and extremist groups.
‘It is imperative that we seek the truth,’ Pelosi said. ‘It is clear the Republicans are afraid of the truth.’
Seven people died when then-President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory. About 140 police officers were injured.
Pelosi did not say who would chair the select committee or who the members would be. She said she would disclose the details at a future date and hoe that Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy would choose ‘responsible’ members.
McCarthy on Wednesday said he wanted Senate committees already looking into the attack to continue instead of a new select committee as Pelosi is promising.
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