House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced he opposes bipartisan legislation for an independent January 6 commission.
In a statement released on Tuesday, McCarthy wrote, “Given the political misdirections that have marred this process, given the now duplicative and potentially counterproductive nature of this effort, and given the Speaker’s shortsighted scope that does not examine interrelated forms of political violence in America, I cannot support this legislation.”
The commission would investigate the insurrection on January 6 at the U.S. Capitol.
McCarthy also claimed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) “refused to negotiate in good faith” on the commission’s parameters.
“The presence of this political violence in American society cannot be tolerated and it cannot be overlooked,” he said, adding, “I have communicated this to our Democrat colleagues for months and its omission is deeply concerning.”
After members of the House Homeland Security Committee reached a bipartisan agreement on the commission, Pelosi wrote in a statement, “It is imperative that we seek the truth of what happened on January 6 with an independent, bipartisan 9/11-type Commission to examine and report upon the facts, causes and security relating to the terrorist mob attack.”
The commission would include 10 members with half Republicans and half Democrats.
A vote on the legislation is expected to be on Wednesday. It is unclear how McCarthy’s opposition will affect the vote.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) shared with ABC’s Jon Karl on Friday that she believes McCarthy should “absolutely” testify before the possible commission and she “wouldn’t be surprised if he were subpoenaed.”
