June 30, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Votes to Establish Select Committee to Investigate January 6th Insurrection

Washington, D.C. –  Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) voted for H.Res. 503, which empower Congress to find the truth of the January 6th insurrection at the United States Capitol and ensure that this assault on democracy does not happen again.  This legislation will create a Select Committee charged with investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes, as well as making recommendations to prevent similar domestic terrorist attacks.

“January 6th was more than just a deadly attack on our Capitol – it was a display of white supremacy and an assault on our very democracy,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “Conducting a full investigation into this attack is a matter of national security. We have an obligation to our country to establish a Select Committee to ensure that such an attack can never happen again. I was proud to join House Democrats in voting for this critical legislation.”  

 On January 6th, the United States Capitol Complex was attacked by insurrectionists attempting to impede Congress’s constitutional mandate to validate the results of the presidential election.  The storming of the Capitol threatened the lives of Members of Congress, staff, institutional employees and D.C. and Capitol Police – killing five people, injuring more than 140 law enforcement officers, and instilling terror and trauma among the Capitol Hill community.  In the wake of this domestic terrorist mob attack, many unanswered questions remain about its origins and the response to it. 

The Committee will have thirteen members appointed by the Speaker, five of whom will be appointed after consultation with the Minority Leader.  This House-passed resolution does not require Senate approval or a Presidential signature in order to take effect.  This step comes after Senate Republicans, at the request of Mitch McConnell, blocked a popular and bipartisan bill to establish an independent 9/11-type Commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection.  That proposal was negotiated and agreed upon by the bipartisan leadership of the House Homeland Security Committee and was endorsed by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission Chairs, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, as well as 140 national security experts.