Press Releases

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes to Establish an Independent National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol

Washington, May 19, 2021

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted in support of H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act.  This bipartisan legislation creates an independent commission, modeled on the 9/11 commission, to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.  The legislation passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, 252-175. 

“I was in the chamber of the House of Representatives when a mob attacked the United States Capitol and the United States Congress—the elected representatives of the people.  This was an attack on our democracy itself and one of the darkest days in our country’s history,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “We need a comprehensive understanding of what happened.  A bipartisan, independent commission tasked with doing so will allow us to come together to learn the truth about what happened and do the work we must to ensure it never happens again.”

Modeled after the 9/11 Commission, the January 6 Commission is charged with investigating the causes and events of January 6 and is equipped with subpoena power to assist its investigatory work.

Key features of the Commission:

  • The Commission will be charged with (1) investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes of the January 6 attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy; (2) examining and evaluating evidence developed by relevant Federal, State, and local governments, in a manner that is respectful of ongoing investigations, regarding the facts and circumstances of the attack; (3) building upon other investigations regarding the attack and targeted violence and domestic terrorism related to such attack; and (4) reporting to the President and Congress regarding its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective measures taken to prevent future acts of targeted violence and domestic terrorism, including against American democratic institutions, improve the security posture of the United States Capitol Complex in a manner that preserves the accessibility of the Capitol Complex for all Americans, and strengthen the security and resilience of nation and American democratic institutions against domestic terrorism.

  • Like the 9/11 Commission, the measure establishes a 10-person bipartisan commission with five commissioners, including the Chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate and five commissioners, including the Vice Chair, appointed by the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate. 

  • Commissioners must have significant expertise in the areas of law enforcement, civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Current government officers or employees are prohibited from appointment. 

  • Like the 9/11 Commission, the Commission will be granted authority to issue subpoenas to secure information to carry out its investigation but only upon agreement between the Chair and the Vice Chair or a vote by a majority of Commission members. 

  • The Commission will be required to issue a final report with findings regarding the facts and causes of the attack, along with recommendations to prevent future attacks on our democratic institutions, by December 31, 2021.