Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) voted in favor of H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act. The Commission would take a bipartisan approach to addressing unanswered questions about the attack and events that preceded it.
The January 6 attack is considered the worst attack on our Capitol since British troops set fire to the building over 100 years ago. The violent mob threatened the lives of Members of Congress, staff, and others. The insurrectionists subjected D.C. Police and U.S. Capitol Police officers to aggression, violence, and death.
“January 6th was an overt attempt to harm democratically elected public servants and a rebuke of our nation’s most fundamental values,” said Congresswoman Ross. “A peaceful transfer of power is paramount to the success of democracy. We owe it to our country, its future, and the brave Capitol Police and first responders who put themselves in danger to protect the Capitol to take legislative action to safeguard our democracy.
“All members of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, take the same oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. As public servants and as leaders, my colleagues and I have a responsibility to seek greater understanding and accountability for what happened on January 6th. An independent, bipartisan Commission can provide much-needed clarity. I urge all members of Congress to support this legislation.”
H.R. 3233 is the product of months of bipartisan discussions between the leaders of the Committee on Homeland Security. It purposely mirrors legislation that authorized the 9/11 Commission two decades ago, which has been viewed as the gold standard for bipartisan investigations to inform homeland and national security policymaking.
Comprised of 10 non-governmental individuals with expertise in law enforcement, civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence, and cybersecurity, the proposed Commission will be charged with investigating and reporting on the facts, causes, and influencing factors of the attack; examining the events that led to it; and providing recommendations to better secure the nation and its democratic institutions in the future.
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