WASHINGTON — GOP Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming were the only two Republicans to vote with Democrats to create a select committee to probe the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
The Democratic-authored measure was approved on a 220-190 vote.
Kinzinger’s vote is absolutely no surprise. He is waging a crusade against conspiracy theories, Trump-fueled election denial and lies about what happened on Jan. 6
“We need a full accounting of what happened on January 6, 2021—we need answers on who was involved in the insurrection and who played a role in orchestrating it. We need transparency and truth,” Kinzinger said in a statement.
“…Today, I voted in support of the Select Committee (H.Res.503) because the truth matters. Because it is our duty to conduct a thorough investigation of this most egregious attack on the Capitol. Because the American people—and especially the families of our brave law enforcement on the front lines that day—deserve answers.
“With the number of conspiracy theories being perpetuated by media outlets and spreading wildly online, we have to push back with the facts and ensure what happened on January 6th never happens again. We have to put the partisan political divisions aside and put the interests of our country and our democracy at the forefront. And as I said before, we cannot let fear stop us from doing what is right.”
Also noteworthy:
- Kinzinger and Cheney were among the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Under pressure from Trump, Cheney was ousted from her House leadership position.
- The other eight Republicans who voted for impeachment opposed the creation of the select committee. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was considering appointing a Republican to the select committee. Kinzinger said he is open to being appointed as long as the investigation looks for “truth” and does not “turn political.”
The select committee would be under the control of Pelosi. In May, 35 House Republicans, including Kinzinger and Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois, sided with Democrats in voting to form an independent commission to investigate the attack. Senate Republicans blocked an independent commission.
Davis on Wednesday did not vote for the select committee.
- Davis and Kinzinger — both mentioned as potential 2022 governor candidates — joined with Democrats on Tuesday to approve a measure to remove statues of Confederate leaders from the U.S. Capitol. Kinzinger and Davis were among the 67 Republicans joining Democrats in backing the Confederate statue measure.
Welch fundraising debut in D.C.
- With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, in-person fundraising is resuming. Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch makes his first fundraising, Washington D.C. swing at the end of July. According to a fundraising invite obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, Welch has, among other activities in D.C., a July 27 reception in D.C. with tickets ranging from $250 to $10,000.
