Congressman Boyle Statement on Commission To Investigate Capitol Attack
Statement
Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) released the following statement after passage of H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act. This bill forms a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the January 6 attack and to recommend changes to further protect the United States Capitol:
"Not since the attacks of 9/11 has a branch of government been so seriously threatened as it was on January 6th of this year," said Congressman Boyle. "A mob sought to stop the official count of electoral votes of a Presidential election. Their heinous actions left five dead, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer. This demands nothing less than a full and fair investigation, in the manner of the 9/11 Commission established by Congress nearly 20 years ago. Those who committed these atrocities must be held responsible. By all available legal means, they should be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These were not tourists, as one of my colleagues carelessly referred to them. These were not patriots. These were thugs, goons, criminals and, most despicably, they were domestic terrorists."
The National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act establishes a 10-person bipartisan commission with 5 commissioners, including the Chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader of the Senate and 5 commissioners, including the Vice Chair, appointed by the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate. The bill prohibits current government officers or employees from being appointed and requires the commissioners to have significant expertise in the areas of law enforcement, civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence, and cybersecurity. The commission will have the authority to issue subpoenas to carry out its investigation upon agreement of the Chair and Vice Chair or by vote of a majority of commission members.
The Commission will be required to issue a final report by December 31, 2021 on its investigative findings and recommendations to prevent future attacks on the Capitol.
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