Question regarding a Democratic led investigation into 1/6

[Poiuyt]

Going on the assumption that the Republicans in the Senate will block a bipartisan investigation into the events of 1/6, and if Nancy Pelosi decides to go it alone with a Democratic led committee, will that committee have subpoena power, specifically, will they be able to subpoena Kevin McCarthy and other Congressional members?

[MerryHolidays]

1. AFAIK, yes

I've made this point a few times on DU: Sam Ervin's Senate Sub-Committee in 1973-1974 (i.e., the Watergate Committee) was instrumental in breaking the Watergate break-in and cover-up crimes wide open (along with criminal prosecution and civil litigation). Amazingly, folks here said a Commission was better, which, with respect, is nonsense.

We control the House, we control the Senate, and we control the Executive Branch, which includes the Justice Department/Us Attorneys /FBI/etc. That hasn't happened in 10 years.

Speaker Pelosi is doing exactly the right thing. The Commission was the much more palatable solution for the Rs. But they are not going to take it. The Ds in the House can set up a Select Committee, and until January 2023, there's not much the Rs or the insurrectionists can do about it, if even then. And guess what: if witnesses don't show up, lie, or obstruct, Democratic US Attorneys will nail them.

As to subpoenaing McCarthy, the dingbat was silly enough today to say he would testify. It will be difficult for him to pull back.

[Pinback]

6. Thanks for this antihyperventilationary perspective. (nt)

[MerryHolidays]

7. January 6th is FAR TOO important to trust to a Commission

Watergate was horrific...the insurrection was as bad as the Civil War.

It was an attack precisely directed against the Congress...no one, except Congress, is better suited to investigate. Unless a member of Congress was involved in the planning or implementation, they have nothing to worry about.

Right??? Kevin? Gosar? Hawley? Right???

[bottomofthehill]

2. It all depends on what the Speaker wants and what she can get passed in the House

But that would be reasonable to assume, that said, it is difficult to get members to testify.

[The Magistrate]

3. It Will Have Subpeona Power, Sir

Ss does any Congressional or Senate committee. I cannot see any obvious reason why this should not extend to members of the House or Senate, but there may be restrictions I am unaware of in the rules those bodies make for themselves.

It will also have the backing of the Justice Department, should criminal complaint for contempt be made.

[bottomofthehill]

4. The Benghazi model

H. Res. xXXX. provides for the establishment of the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the January 6, 2021 Domestic Terrorist Attack on the United States Capitol. The resolution provides that the Select Committee will have a clear mandate for a comprehensive investigation that is not limited by jurisdictional lines.

The resolution also authorizes the Chair of the Select Committee to issue subpoenas and order depositions, ensures the Select Committee and its staff will have appropriate access to classified material, and requires the Select Committee to report to the full House on its findings and recommendations.

[bottomofthehill]

5. Further

There was a 7/5 Republican to Democrat split on Benghazi and the same language and rules work for me on the select committee, 7 Democrats and 5 Republicans. simple language below


Establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 1/6 Domestic Terrorist Attack on the US Capitol, to conduct a full and complete investigation and study and issue a final report of its findings to the House regarding:

All policies, decisions, and activities that contributed to the attacks on the U.S. Capitol on 01/06/2021 as well as those that affected the ability of the United States to prepare for them;

all policies, decisions, and activities to respond to and repel such attacks, including efforts to rescue U.S. personnel at the Capitol building;

internal and public executive branch & Legislative Branch communications about these attacks;

accountability for policies and decisions related to the security of the US Capitol, and the response to the attacks, including individuals and entities responsible for those policies and decisions;

executive branch authorities' efforts to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks;

executive branch activities and efforts to comply with congressional inquiries into them;

recommendations for improving executive branch cooperation and compliance with congressional oversight and investigations;
information related to lessons learned from the attacks and executive branch activities and efforts to protect U.S. Capitol and

any other relevant issues relating to such attacks, the response to them, or the investigation by the House into the attacks.

[Poiuyt]

8. Thank you. That's a good list

[bottomofthehill]

9. The same language as Benghazi select Committee

But changed to say US Capitol