House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will formally announce the formation of a committee to investigate the January 6 riot at the U.S. Captiol later today, according to CNN.
Democrats – and a handful of GOP lawmakers – hoped to create a bipartisan, independent committee to probe the attack, but Republicans in the Senate blocked that effort last month. A House investigation, where Democrats have the majority, will be more partisan.
Pelosi said earlier this month that the House “can’t wait any longer.” More from CNN:
The commission is likely to fuel the political brawl that’s played out in the House the aftermath of January 6, in which Democrats have charged that Republicans are trying to whitewash the insurrection carried out by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Republicans, meanwhile, have accused Democrats of trying to use the commission and their committee investigations for political gain.
Multiple House committees are already investigating the January 6 attack, including those tasked with overseeing Homeland Security and House Administration. The Associated Press reports that Pelosi is considering using an existing committee – or a combination of committees – to conduct the forthcoming investigation. She can also form a new body.
Republicans would be able to assign House members to the new committee.