Pro-Impeachment Republicans Split On Supporting Jan. 6 Select Committee

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Topline

House Republicans who voted for former President Donald Trump’s impeachment – and an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol – are divided on the Jan. 6 select committee House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Monday.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 12: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) speaks with reporters before going to a caucus … [+] meeting in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on May 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. House GOP decided to remove Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) from her leadership position after she became a target for former President Donald Trump and his followers in the House. Cheney has continually expressed the need for the Republican Party to separate themselves from Trump over his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Kinzinger has been outspoken in his opinion that the party should move away from Trump’s influence. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), the Republican who negotiated the commission, said the select committee is “literally the exact opposite,” adding that he will vote against the resolution and has a “hard time envisioning a scenario” in which he serves on it.

While the commission would have been evenly divided along party lines and ended by 2021, the open-ended committee will have eight Pelosi appointees and only five from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy – though Pelosi may pick one Republican.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) said she, too, opposes the resolution because she believes the commission is the “only way” to have a “credible” probe – though, when asked if she would serve on the committee, she reiterated “I’m not voting for the bill.”

Maura Gillespie, a spokesperson for Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) struck a different tone in a statement to Forbes, stating GOP senators “blocked” the commission and “now we need answers.”

“Whether Kinzinger serves on the Select Committee is up to Speaker Pelosi,” Gillespie added, echoing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who repeatedly said “it’s up to the speaker” when asked if she would serve.

Surprising Fact

Several Republicans who did not vote for the commission suggested they would be open to serving on the select committee. “I serve when called. Always have,” Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), who has routinely downplayed the Jan. 6 attack, told Forbes. Rep. Greg Pence (R-Ind.) said “we’ll have to see.”

Crucial Quote

“Well I talk to Kevin all the time,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, told Forbes when asked if he is advising McCarthy on picks. Jordan didn’t rule out serving on the committee, but said “I’ve got real concerns with this whole concept,” calling it “just one more attack on the president.”

Source: Forbes