Washington, D.C. – Today Representative Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District, a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement ahead of her vote on H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act:

“On January 6th, a violent mob attacked the U.S. Capitol to prevent the peaceful transfer of power,” said Congresswoman Titus (NV-1). “We need a nonpartisan commission of security experts to prevent that from ever happening again. While our democracy was under assault, a police officer lost his life and many others were injured trying to keep Members of Congress, staff, and the press out of harm’s way.

“The legislation to create this commission was forged out of a bipartisan compromise between the top Democrat and Republican on the Homeland Security Committee. Minority Leader McCarthy made three requests regarding the composition of this commission and Democrats agreed to all of them. Under this bill, both sides would have equal representation on the commission and equal subpoena power.

“Senator McConnell’s attempt to block this nonpartisan commission is a disgrace to our democracy. The only reason to oppose an independent fact-finding commission is if you are afraid of the facts.”

Under the legislation:

• The Commission will be charged with (1) investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes of the January 6th attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy; (2) examining and evaluating evidence developed by relevant Federal, State, and local governments, in a manner that is respectful of ongoing investigations, regarding the facts and circumstances of the attack; (3) building upon other investigations regarding the attack and targeted violence and domestic terrorism related to such attack; and (4) reporting to the President and Congress regarding its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective measures taken to prevent future acts of targeted violence and domestic terrorism, including against American democratic institutions, improve the security posture of the United States Capitol Complex in a manner that preserves the accessibility of the Capitol Complex for all Americans, and strengthen the security and resilience of nation and American democratic institutions against domestic terrorism.
• Like the 9/11 Commission, the measure establishes a 10-person bipartisan commission with five commissioners, including the Chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate and five commissioners, including the Vice Chair, appointed by the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.
• Commissioners must have significant expertise in the areas of law enforcement, civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Current government officers or employees are prohibited from appointment.
• Like the 9/11 Commission, the Commission will be granted authority to issue subpoenas to secure information to carry out its investigation but only upon agreement between the Chair and the Vice Chair or a vote by a majority of Commission members.
• The Commission will be required to issue a final report with findings regarding the facts and causes of the attack, along with recommendations to prevent future attacks on our democratic institutions, by December 31, 2021.