House creates select committee to investigate US Capitol riot News
© Wikimedia (Tyler Merbler)
House creates select committee to investigate US Capitol riot

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution on Monday to establish a Select Committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The House created the 13-member committee by a 222-190 vote, whose members will be selected by the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. However, five of the members will be appointed only after consultation with the House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The Speaker will also designate one member to serve as the committee’s chairperson.

The committee’s primary objective is to investigate and report upon the facts, circumstances and causes surrounding the domestic terrorist attack on the US Capitol. Further, it will examine the preparedness and response of the US Capitol Police, as well as federal, state and local enforcement agencies.

The committee will also focus on how technology, financing and malign foreign influence contributed to the attack. Additionally, it will use evidence gathered by federal, state and local governmental agencies in the aftermath of the Capitol attack to build upon their investigations and avoid duplication. Moreover, the committee’s chairperson is authorized to issue subpoenas and conduct depositions without consulting anybody except the ranking minority member.

In a Tweet, Pelosi said, “January 6th was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. It’s imperative we establish the truth and ensure an attack cannot again happen.” She further added, “the Select Committee will investigate January 6th and defend our democracy.”

While the resolution does not specify a timeframe for the committee to complete its inquiry, it does provide that the committee will be terminated 30 days after it files its final report.

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