A Bay Area congresswoman will serve on the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection.
Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat representing much of San Jose and Santa Clara County in California's 19th District, was appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a House Democrat representing most of San Francisco in California’s 12th, as one of eight members.
Lofgren, currently serving in her 14th term, said in a Thursday statement she will serve "with a profound commitment to our Constitution and to finding the truth."
"The Select Committee will investigate the causes and circumstances leading up to the events that day," Lofgren, chair of the House Committee on Administration, said. "The American people deserve answers to these questions and plans to protect our institutions."
The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to create the committee, largely along party lines. Only two Republicans, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming, voted for the measure, which passed on a 222-190 vote.
Cheney was the only Republican who Pelosi named to the select committee. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who represents California's 23rd district, threatened to strip any Republicans who joined of their committee assignments, according to reports from Punchbowl and CNN.
Five more members of the committee will be appointed with McCarthy's consultation.
In May, bipartisan legislation to create an independent investigation into the insurrection failed in the Senate. Only six Republican senators voted for the legislation, ensuring it would fall short of the necessary 60 votes. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and McCarthy opposed the legislation.
"Because Senate Republicans filibustered the creation of a bipartisan, independent commission, the Select Committee is necessary," Lofgren said in her statement. "We need an objective, clear-eyed review of what led to the insurrectionist attack."
Five people died and over 150 police officers were injured during the insurrection, as rioters sought to stop congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election results following former President Donald Trump's repeated, false claims the election was stolen.
All eight members of the select committee are as follows:
–Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who will lead it.
–Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.
–Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo
–Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.
–Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va.
–Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla.
–Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.
–Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
This story has been corrected. Previously, the article stated that Congresswoman Lofgren is serving her 13th term. Lofgren is serving her 14th term.
Related
