Issue One applauds bipartisan agreement in the House to form an independent commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol

Following today’s bipartisan agreement in the House on legislation to form a commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Issue One’s Founder and CEO Nick Penniman and Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the following statement:

“We are encouraged by today’s agreement between House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Ranking Member John Katko (R-NY) on legislation that would establish an independent and bipartisan commission to thoroughly investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and take necessary steps to ensure this never happens again on our nation’s soil.

“Modeled after the 9/11 Commission, this is an important step in building a comprehensive understanding of the root causes that led to this assault on our democracy. With a vote expected in the House as early as next week, now is the time to see this through and build on the work of other congressional committees and expert reports. Americans deserve the truth, and we believe an objective commission will deliver on that promise.”

Former Ambassador Tim Roemer (D-IN), a former congressman and member of the National Council on Election Integrity who served on and played an instrumental role in passing legislation establishing the 9/11 Commission, added: “Creating the 9/11 Commission was difficult and painstaking work but essential for truth and healing. We need a January 6 Commission to determine who attacked the U.S. Capitol, why the response was slow and inadequate, and how to prevent another act of domestic terrorism against our own citizens. The bipartisan agreement between Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Katko is a crucial first step toward justice and security.” 

Former Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN), member of the National Council on Election Integrity, also said: “We are a nation of laws. Republicans and Democrats alike have demonstrated broad support for a January 6 Commission that gets to the bottom of what happened so we never have to witness such outrageous and self inflicted damage to our Republic again. Today is an important step toward restoring confidence in our government.”