Only 2 GOP representatives voted in favor of Jan. 6 select committee
Just two House Republicans — Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) — voted alongside Democrats on Wednesday to establish a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. A bipartisan measure to create an independent commission passed in the House last month before being blocked by Senate Republicans.
"I voted in support of the select committee because the truth matters," Kinzinger wrote in a statement following the vote, which cleared 222-190. "We have to put the partisan political divisions aside and put the interests of our country and our democracy at the forefront."
Just before the vote, Cheney noted in a statement that she believes it "right to be wary of an overtly partisan inquiry," but since the independent panel failed to pass, Congress is nonetheless "obligated to conduct a full investigation of the most serious attack on our Capitol since 1814."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We must ensure that what happened on January 6, 2021, never happens again," Cheney added. Both she and Kinzinger have previously criticized former President Donald Trump for his baseless claims of widespread election fraud and for his role in inciting violence on Jan. 6.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will appoint eight members to the select committee, which is expected to investigate the security failings and circumstances leading up to the attack on Jan. 6, CNN reports. Objecting Republicans are reportedly concerned the "partisan panel" will be used as a platform to "attack" Trump, but as Kinzinger notes in his statement, "we cannot let fear stop us from doing what is right."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The Duchy Files: how bad is the scandal for King Charles?
Today's Big Question Making millions in rent from the NHS and armed forces a 'PR disaster' for royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
'A stark choice'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Vietnamese migrants crossing the Channel
The Explainer 2024 has seen a surge in the numbers of Vietnamese migrants making the illegal passage into the UK
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine
Speed Read Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Women take center stage in campaign finale
Speed Read Harris and Trump are trading gender attacks in the final days before the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Supreme Court allows purge of Virginia voter rolls
Speed Read Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is purging some 1,600 people from state voter rolls days before the election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Empowered' Steve Bannon released from prison
Speed Read Bannon was set free a week before Election Day and quickly returned to his right-wing podcast to promote Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada accuses top Modi ally of directing Sikh attacks
Speed Read Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris makes closing case in huge rally at DC's Ellipse
Speed Read The Democratic nominee asked voters to "turn the page" on Trump's "division" and "chaos"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'I am not a Nazi,' Trump says amid MSG rally fallout
Speed Read Trump and his campaign are attempting to stem the fallout from comments made by speakers at Sunday's rally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published