Pelosi Presses Forward, Says House Will Investigate Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

The House of Representatives will step up its investigations into the riot that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Senate Republicans blocked a bill to create an independent commission to investigate the Capitol riot.

However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on Tuesday, “We can’t wait any longer. We will proceed,” according to AP.

An option that is being considered is creating a select committee, which would put majority Democrats in charge, AP reports.

“Whether we have a commission today, tomorrow or the next day over in the Senate, or not, the work of the committees will be very important in what we’re seeking for the American people — the truth,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi also said, “We’ve considered several options as we look forward, but there’ll be a cascade of activity from the committees,” according to CBS News. That means “a select committee, if created, would work in tandem with existing investigations by House committees” and that a select committee would not take the place of that, the publication reports.

The House speaker previously laid out four possibilities for a House Democratic-led investigation. As The Hill reported earlier this month:

“According to a source on the caucus call, the four alternatives laid out by Pelosi include allowing the Senate to vote again on the House-passed bill to create an independent commission, creating a House select committee, allowing multiple committees to continue their ongoing investigations or empowering one House committee, such as Homeland Security, to take the lead on investigating Jan. 6.”

On May 28, Senate Republicans blocked a bill passed by the House of Representatives. Six Republicans voted for the bill. Ten Republicans were needed in order to pass the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) previously indicated he could force a second vote on the bill. However, there is “no indication that Democrats can win the necessary support” from additional Republicans, per the AP.

After the bill failed to pass, Pelosi wrote in a statement, “Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans’ denial of the truth of the January 6th insurrection brings shame to the Senate. Republicans’ cowardice in rejecting the truth of that dark day makes our Capitol and our country less safe.”

She added, “Democrats worked across the aisle, agreeing to everything that Republicans asked for. We did this in the interest of achieving a bipartisan Commission. In not taking yes for an answer, Republicans clearly put their election concerns above the security of the 🏛️Congress and country.”

Additionally, White House Press Secretary Jen Psakisaid on June 3 that President Joe Biden does not plan to appoint his own commission to investigate the Capitol riot.