Providing for Consideration of H.R. National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act; and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 409, which allows for the debate on H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act. After months of negotiations, last week I was pleased to introduce this measure with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).

Back in 2007, I was proud to be the lead sponsor of legislation to implement the unfulfilled recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. I can say with certainty, at that time, I could never have imagined that I would be standing here today, almost 15 years later, advocating for the establishment of a 9/11-style commission to investigate a violent domestic attack on the United States Capitol.

On January 6, the world watched Americans storm the Capitol and engage in violence to try to intimidate and prevent Congress from carrying out its constitutional duty to certify a Presidential election, a solemn process central to the peaceful transfer of power in our democracy.

Like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the events of January 6 have cast a long shadow on our country. Like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it has raised fundamental questions about information-sharing, coordination, preparedness, and response at all levels of government.

When the defenses around the citadel of our democracy fail as profoundly as they did on January 6, then attention must be paid. At least one Capitol Police Officer died because of the cause of the violence that day. Others died too, and injuries were extensive also-- not the least of which is the body blow of Americans' confidence that the reforms undertaken after 9/11 would deliver better information- sharing and coordination to keep us secure.

H.R. 3233 authorizes the establishment of a 10-member commission that mirrors the 9/11 Commission, the gold standard for bipartisan commissions. The January 6 Commission would be required to investigate and report on all the facts and causes of the attack including relevant influencing factors that may have contributed to the attack.

Given how politically charged the events of January 6 have become, we need to come together in a patriotic, bipartisan way and approve this independent body, just as we did when we approved the creation of the 9/11 Commission. The 9/11 Commission acted not out of partisanship, but out of patriotism. We need that same sense of duty today. Apathy is not a security strategy, and neither are ignorance or willful disregard.

After such a shocking attack, nothing short of a full accounting of what took place will put us on the path to improving our homeland security.

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