Logo
January 6th Report

Committee History

The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol

In the aftermath of the 2021 United States Capitol attack, the proposal to form a bicameral commission failed due to a filibuster from Republicans in the Senate. 1 In late May, when it had become apparent that the filibuster would not be overcome, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated that she would appoint a select committee to investigate the events as a fallback option. 2 3 4 5

On June 30, 2021, the resolution to form the committee passed by a vote of 222 to 190, with all Democratic members and two Republican members, Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, voting in favor. Sixteen Republican members did not vote. 6 The resolution empowered Pelosi to appoint eight members to the committee, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy could appoint five members "in consultation" with Pelosi. 7 Pelosi indicated that she would name a Republican as one of her eight appointees. 8

On July 1, Pelosi appointed eight members, seven Democrats and one Republican, Liz Cheney (R-WY); Bennie Thompson (D-MS) would serve as committee chair. 9 On July 19, McCarthy announced the five members he would recommend as the minority on the select committee. He recommended that Jim Banks (R-IN) serve as Ranking Member, and minority members be Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Troy Nehls (R-TX). 10 Banks, Jordan, and Nehls voted to overturn the Electoral College results in Arizona and Pennsylvania. Banks and Jordan had also signed onto the Supreme Court case Texas v. Pennsylvania to invalidate the ballots of voters in four states. 11

On July 21, Thompson stated in an interview that he would investigate Trump as part of the inquiry into Capitol attack. 12 Hours later, Pelosi said in a statement that she had informed McCarthy that she would reject the recommendations of Jordan and Banks, citing concerns for the investigation's integrity and relevant actions and statements made by the two members. She approved the recommendations of the other three. 13 McCarthy then pulled all of his picks for the committee and stated that he would not appoint anyone on the committee unless all five of his choices were approved. 14 15

After McCarthy rescinded his recommendations, Pelosi appointed Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to the committee. 16 Kinzinger was one of the ten House Republicans who voted for Trump's second impeachment. 17 Pelosi was also considering to hire a Republican as an outside committee staffer or advisor, such as former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA), who met with Cheney and Pelosi. Cheney voiced her support and pushed for both of their involvement. 17 On July 25, Pelosi officially announced the appointment of Kinzinger to the select committee. 18

  1. 1. "How Mitch McConnell killed the US Capitol attack commission"↩
  2. 2. "GOP gambles with Pelosi in opposing Jan. 6 commission"↩
  3. 3. "Pelosi Statement on the Introduction of H.Res. 503 Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol"↩
  4. 4. "Pelosi announces select committee to investigate Jan. 6 Capitol riot"↩
  5. 5. "Pelosi announces the House will establish a select committee to investigate Capitol riot"↩
  6. 6. "House votes to create select committee to investigate January 6 attack"↩
  7. 7. "House votes to create select committee to investigate January 6 insurrection"↩
  8. 8. "Pelosi names members of January 6 select committee, including Liz Cheney"↩
  9. 9. "A look at 8 lawmakers appointed to probe Jan. 6 attack"↩
  10. 10. "McCarthy makes his 5 GOP picks for Jan. 6 select committee"↩
  11. 11. "Jim Jordan among 5 House Republicans selected by McCarthy for January 6 select committee"↩
  12. 12. "Capitol attack committee chair vows to investigate Trump: 'Nothing is off limits'"↩
  13. 13. "Pelosi Statement on Republican Recommendations to Serve on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol"↩
  14. 14. "McCarthy pulls his 5 GOP members from 1/6 committee after Pelosi rejects 2 of his picks"↩
  15. 15. "McCarthy pulls five Republicans from Capitol attack panel after Pelosi rejects two"↩
  16. 16. "Rep. Adam Kinzinger Named to Jan. 6 Committee"↩
  17. 17. "Pelosi looks to bolster bipartisan standing of 1/6 panel with potential addition of GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger"↩
  18. 18. "Pelosi Announces Appointment of Congressman Adam Kinzinger to Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol"↩