WAPO: House members announce bipartisan deal for Jan. 6 commission

[lindysalsagal]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/january-6-commission-capitol-attack/2021/05/14/615a4484-b4c5-11eb-a980-a60af976ed44_story.html

By Karoun Demirjian and Colby Itkowitz May 14, 2021 at 1:33 p.m. EDT

A group of House Democrats and Republicans announced Friday that they had struck a deal to establish an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a significant breakthrough after months of partisan standoff over the mandate for such a panel — and whether it should exist at all.

The proposed 10-person commission, which emulates the panel that investigated the causes and lessons of 9/11 terrorist attacks, would be charged with studying the events and run-up to Jan. 6, with a focus on why an estimated 10,000 supporters of former president Donald Trump swarmed the Capitol grounds and, more importantly, what factors instigated about 800 of them to break inside.

“There has been a growing consensus that the January 6th attack is of a complexity and national significance that what we need an independent commission to investigate,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, announcing that he had struck a deal with the panel’s top Republican, Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.). “The creation of this commission is our way of taking responsibility for protecting the U.S. Capitol.”

The legislation must still be voted on, first by the House and then by the Senate before it is sent to the White House for final approval. Thompson said the legislation would likely be considered by the House next week, but it is unclear when the Senate might take up the bill.

[jimfields33]

1. Working together. Shocking. Write date on calendar.

[Autumn]

2. So equal say between Republicans and Democrats? There will be no subpoenas

There will be no working with those people.

In the bipartisan deal announced Friday, five members would be appointed by the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, while the other five would appointed by their Republican counterparts. In a departure from Pelosi’s earlier proposal, President Biden would not have a say in appointing any commissioners.

The commission would have the power to subpoena witnesses, but not without an agreement between the Democrat-appointed chair and the Republican appointed vice chair, or a majority vote of the panel. Current government officials, including those holding elected office, would not be allowed to serve on the panel, to maintain its independence.

In his announcement, Thompson predicted that legislation would be on the House floor as soon as next week. While it is almost certain to gain majority support from the Democratic-led House, Republicans will have to decide whether to side moderates like Katko, who struck the deal, or GOP leaders who continue to look sneeringly on the product.

[rownesheck]

3. Republicans on the commission

will be there just to muddy the waters so that forgetful, unengaged (is that a word?) Americans will begin to believe that January 6 wasn't such a big deal. This commission will be just as effective as the Warren commission.

[lindysalsagal]

4. The only thing this gets us is the names of the haters who will cover up for frump.

And I doubt that will move many votes, even local ones.

[kentuck]

5. I would think the Senate would take it up almost immediately.

Would Mitt Romney or any other Republican agree to the creation of a Commission?

[Lovie777]

6. No . . .

[kentuck]

7. Romney voted for impeachment but he would not vote for a Commission for January 6th insurrection?

???