Cheney joins committee to investigate U.S. Capitol attack

U.S. Representative Liz Cheney said late last week that she is honored to have been named to serve on the House select committee to investigate what occurred during the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol.

“Congress is obligated to conduct a full investigation of the most serious attack on our Capitol since 1814. That day saw the most sacred space in our Republic overrun by an angry and violent mob attempting to stop the counting of electoral votes and threatening the peaceful transfer of power,” said Cheney in a statement. 

“What happened on January 6 can never happen again. Those who are responsible for the attack need to be held accountable and this select committee will fulfill that responsibility in a professional, expeditious, and non-partisan manner.”

The committee was announced on June 1 by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Its job will be to assemble a comprehensive and authoritative report on the events surrounding the event and make policy recommendations to prevent a reoccurrence of the event.

The committee includes Cheney alongside Bennie Thompson, Chair of the Homeland Security Committee; Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the House Administration Committee; Adam Schiff, Chair of the Intelligence Committee; Representative Pete Aguilar of the House Appropriations Committee; Representative Stephanie Murphy of the Armed Services Committee; Representative Jamie Raskin of the Oversight Committee; and Elaine Luria, Armed Services Committee.

“Our oath to the Constitution, our commitment to the rule of law, and the preservation of the peaceful transfer of power must always be above partisan politics,” said Cheney in her statement.

On June 30, Cheney indicated she would be supporting the establishment of the committee, saying she had supported the establishment of a bipartisan independent commission along with 34 other House Republicans. However, that bill was defeated in the Senate.

Nevertheless, Cheney said, Congress is obligated to conduct a full investigation.

“Our nation, and the families of the brave law enforcement officers who were injured defending us or died following the attack, deserve answers. I believe this select committee is our only remaining option. I will vote to support it,” she said.

“This investigation can only succeed if it is sober, professional, and non-partisan. The threat to our democracy is far too grave for grandstanding or political maneuvering. The Committee should issue and enforce subpoenas promptly, hire skilled counsel, and do its job thoroughly and expeditiously. The American people need and deserve a full accounting. We must ensure that what happened on January 6, 2021 never happens again.”