WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, July 1, Rep. Liz Cheney was named as a member of the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 attack at the U.S Capitol.
Cheney was appointed to the committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Cheney has been outspoken about the violent attacks at the Capitol, landing her in hot water with GOP leadership still loyal to former President Trump.
Following the announcement, Cheney’s press office released a statement.
“I’m honored to have been named to serve on the January 6th select committee. Congress is obligated to conduct a full investigation of the most serious attack on our Capitol since 1814. That day saw the most sacred space in our Republic overrun by an angry and violent mob attempting to stop the counting of electoral votes and threatening the peaceful transfer of power,” Cheney said.
According to a report from The Associated Press, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened to strip Republicans of committee assignments if they accepted an appointment from Pelosi to the panel. McCarthy told a closed-door meeting of first-term House GOP members on Wednesday that he, not Pelosi, controls Republicans’ committee assignments, according to a top GOP aide.
“What happened on January 6th can never happen again. Those who are responsible for the attack need to be held accountable and this select committee will fulfill that responsibility in a professional, expeditious, and non-partisan manner,” Cheney said.
Cheney was ousted from her GOP leadership position for being outspoken against former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of election fraud and encouraging supporters to attack the Capitol building on Jan. 6. Cheney voted to impeach Trump following the attacks, he is the only President in history to be impeached in the House of Representatives twice.
The attack at the capitol resulted in the death of two capitol police officers. Four civilians died during the attacks.
