House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is adding another Republican lawmaker to the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol after House Republicans withdrew their picks to be named to the committee.
In a statement on Sunday, the California Democrat announced that she would appoint Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) to the committee. She said, “On January 6th, insurrectionists attempted to overthrow the government during the worst assault on the Capitol since the War of 1812.”
“It is imperative that we get to the truth of that day and ensure that such an attack can never again happen. That is why we established the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, which is bipartisan,” she continued.
Finally, she said, “Today, I am announcing the appointment of Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, an Air Force veteran and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, to serve on the Select Committee. He brings great patriotism to the Committee’s mission: to find the facts and protect our Democracy.”
Read the statement below:
Kinzinger joins Cheney on Jan 6 committee. pic.twitter.com/c6racD8Bcd
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) July 25, 2021
In a statement, Kinzinger said, “Let me be clear, I’m a Republican dedicated to conservative values, but I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution — and while this is not the position to be in or sought out, when duty calls, I will always answer.”
“Today, I was asked by the Speaker to serve on the House Select Committee to Investigate January 6th and I humbly accepted. I will work diligently to ensure we get to the truth and hold those responsible for the attack fully accountable,” he added.
Today, I was asked to serve on the bipartisan January 6th Select Committee and I humbly accepted. When duty calls, I will always answer. https://t.co/MszEBc0V7I pic.twitter.com/flIdSfYzZV
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) July 25, 2021
Pelosi’s announcement comes after House Republicans withdrew their five picks to be appointed to the committee after she rejected two of them.
Earlier this month, Pelosi appointed eight lawmakers to the committee, including Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was allowed to consult on the remaining five members.
Last week, McCarthy said that he had chosen five Republicans, including Reps. Jim Banks (Ind.), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Rodney Davis (Ill.), Kelly Armstrong (N.D.), and Troy Nehls (Texas).
However, Pelosi made news when she took the unusual step of rejecting two of the picks, Jordan and Banks. In a statement, she said she spoke to McCarthy “about the objections raised about Representatives Jim Banks and Jim Jordan and the impact their appointments may have on the integrity of the investigation.”
“With respect for the integrity of the investigation, with an insistence on the truth and with concern about statements made and actions taken by these Members, I must reject the recommendations of Representatives Banks and Jordan to the Select Committee,” she said.
In response to the House speaker’s move, McCarthy announced that he would withdraw his suggestion for the remaining three lawmakers. He also said Republicans would conduct their own investigation of the violence of the riot.
Cheney and Kinzinger have both been vocal critics of former President Donald Trump, and both voted to impeach him on the charge of “incitement of insurrection” earlier this year.
