The White House on Thursday batted down the prospect of President BidenJoe BidenBiden congratulates election of new Israeli president amid agreement to oust Netanyahu Trump DOJ seized phone records of New York Times reporters ‘Blue’s Clues’ hosts virtual Pride parade with help of former ‘Drag Race’ contestant MORE appointing his own commission to investigate the events of Jan. 6, saying it is Congress’s duty to look into the riots at the Capitol that day.
“As the President has said, the events of January 6th were an unprecedented assault on our democracy — and he believes they deserve a full, and independent, investigation to determine what transpired and ensure it can never happen again,” press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiHalf of US states end enhanced pandemic unemployment benefits On The Money: May jobs report to land at pivotal moment in Biden agenda | Biden, top GOP negotiator agree to continue infrastructure talks Friday Harris gets new high-stakes role with voting rights effort MORE said in a statement.
“Congress was attacked on that day, and President Biden firmly agrees with Speaker Pelosi that Congress itself has a unique role and ability to carry out that investigation. Because of that, the President doesn’t plan to appoint his own commission,” she added.
“Members of Congress swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the President believes they can, and must, do that by putting politics aside and supporting a full and transparent investigation into January 6th.”
Axios first reported the White House’s opposition to a presidential commission.
The House last month approved legislation to form a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, when hundreds of former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump DOJ seized phone records of New York Times reporters George P. Bush announces bid for Texas attorney general Liz Cheney spent K on security in months after Trump impeachment vote MORE‘s supporters overwhelmed law enforcement and stormed the complex to try and halt the certification of Biden’s electoral victory.
Thirty-five GOP lawmakers joined with Democrats to pass the bill, which would have established a 10-member commission with the power to appoint members split between both parties, similar to the panel created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
But the bill failed to garner enough votes in the Senate to overcome the 60-vote legislative filibuster with a vote of 54-35. Republican Sens. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiTop union unveils national town hall strategy to push Biden’s jobs plan Colorado Democrat: Fear of Trump, desire for power ‘overriding’ patriotism in some Republicans House Republican says DOJ should investigate Jan. 6, not ‘politically appointed’ commission MORE (Alaska), Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyLiz Cheney spent K on security in months after Trump impeachment vote Colorado Democrat: Fear of Trump, desire for power ‘overriding’ patriotism in some Republicans House Republican says DOJ should investigate Jan. 6, not ‘politically appointed’ commission MORE (Utah), Bill CassidyBill CassidyBottom line Colorado Democrat: Fear of Trump, desire for power ‘overriding’ patriotism in some Republicans Barbara Comstock: If Trump disappeared there wouldn’t be many Republicans in the search party MORE (La.), Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanTop union unveils national town hall strategy to push Biden’s jobs plan Senators make stop in Vilnius, call for Belarus to release dissident journalist The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Clock winding down on bipartisan infrastructure deal MORE (Ohio), Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsTop union unveils national town hall strategy to push Biden’s jobs plan Biden ‘allies’ painting him into a corner Colorado Democrat: Fear of Trump, desire for power ‘overriding’ patriotism in some Republicans MORE (Maine) and Ben SasseBen SasseDemocrats wage high-profile fight over military sexual assault Sex workers gain foothold in Congress Colorado Democrat: Fear of Trump, desire for power ‘overriding’ patriotism in some Republicans MORE (Neb.) voted in favor of the bill.
The White House said in the aftermath of the vote that Biden remained committed to supporting an independent investigation into the attacks.
Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Dems near breaking point on infrastructure negotiations Pelosi floats Democrat-led investigation of Jan. 6 as commission alternative OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden suspends Arctic oil leases issued under Trump | Experts warn US needs to better prepare for hurricane season | Progressives set sights on Civilian Climate Corps MORE (D-Calif.) has previously ruled out a presidential commission as a non-starter.
Source Article from https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/556760-white-house-biden-will-not-appoint-presidential-jan-6-commission
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