House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants a massive investigation into what went wrong in the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol — and she wants it to be the size and scope the 9/11 commission.
Pelosi claimed the investigation would be “strongly bipartisan” and similar to the study of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that spurred major reforms in the intelligence community and beyond. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said he will support the commission.
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But first, she wants the power to subpoena witnesses — something critics may be wary to give the leading Democrat.
To get Republican support, Democrats sent their proposal to GOP leaders “to see what suggestions they may have because, for this to work, it really has to be strongly bipartisan.”
The negotiations over setting up the commission are the most recent test for a Congress that is not only shaken by the attack but also deeply divided over anything involving former President Donald Trump.
The vast majority of Republicans stood by Trump as Democrats tried failed to impeach him for his role in the riot. It is an open question whether the commission will be authorized to investigate Trump’s actions.
Legislation to stand up the commission could be introduced as soon as this week, according to a person familiar with the planning and granted anonymity to discuss it. While Democrats could force the legislation through Congress on their own, and President Biden has said he will support it, they claim Republican backing is necessary for the commission to be effective.
Neither House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, a close ally of the former president, nor Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been sharply critical of Trump’s role in the attacks, have said if they would support forming a commission on the Capitol riot. Spokespeople for McCarthy and other House GOP leaders did not return requests for comment on the legislation.
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Still, some Republicans have said they think such a commission is necessary alongside other congressional efforts to investigate the attack.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies, said this weekend that he supports a commission “to find out what happened and make sure it never happens again.”
Democrats made clear that if the commission is formed, it will examine Trump’s role.
The Associated Press contributed to this article