Several Arizona congress members have expressed opinions on the call for an investigation into the Jan. 6th insurrection. On Wednesday, the House voted to create an independent commission to investigate the attack on the Capitol that was an attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s presidential election win over Donald Trump. In January, former President Trump was impeached for a second time by the House and was charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly attempt.
Debbie Lesko released a statement, saying, “What happened on January 6th was inexcusable, and I wholeheartedly condemn the violence that occurred that day. After thoughtful consideration of this proposal, I decided to vote against this legislation. If I thought that this commission would be non-political and truly get to the bottom of what happened that day, I would have been inclined to support this legislation. Based on history, however, I have deep concerns about the commission being used by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats as a political tool against Republicans.
“Additionally, there are already numerous Congressional and intergovernmental agencies conducting investigations into the events of that day, including two Senate Committees, the Architect of the Capitol, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I am confident these investigations will be thorough, and justice will be served. I am concerned this new commission might interfere with these ongoing investigations,” Lesko concluded.
My statement on the vote on the January 6th Commission in the U.S. House of Representatives ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vyRxHKQth9
— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) May 19, 2021
In a statement, Raul Grijalva commented, “The brazen attack on our democracy on January 6th remains a stain on our history. As a consequence of former President Trump’s decision to send a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol, disrupt the democratic process, and commit violence against his own Vice President and Members of Congress, we must now spend an additional $1.9 billion to secure the U.S. Capitol and safeguard the People’s House. Without the actions of the former President and his supporters, this money could have been used for other priorities.
“Despite the violent events of January 6th unfolding on live television and the personal threats to the lives of many of us and our staff in the Capitol that day, numerous Republican Members of Congress are attempting to rewrite history and deny that the insurrection even happened. Like the former President they blindly follow, these Members are deliberately misleading the American people and amplifying the same dangerous conspiracy theories that led to the January 6th attack. These dangerous and irresponsible actions by my Republican colleagues are why this bipartisan commission is necessary. We must establish the facts of what happened that day, put an end to the propaganda and lies, and ensure that we take the necessary precautions to guarantee that it never happens again.”
Too many GOP Members of Congress are attempting to rewrite history and deny that the Insurrection even happened.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) May 19, 2021
We must put an end to the propaganda and lies and ensure that we take the necessary precautions to guarantee that it never happens again. https://t.co/2ic6EkA3xx
Rep. Andy Biggs released a statement on Twitter. Biggs commented, “I’m calling on my colleagues to vote against the Jan 6 commission. This commission is a political power play by the Democrats and is meant to divert attention away from the massive failings of the Biden Administration.”
I'm calling on my colleagues to vote against the Jan 6 commission.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) May 19, 2021
This commission is a political power play by the Democrats and is meant to divert attention away from the massive failings of the Biden Administration.
My thoughts below: pic.twitter.com/U97w8qoPEP
Ruben Gallego commented on Twitter, “As a Marine and as a Member of Congress, I took an oath to defend our constitution and our democracy. Today I honored that oath by voting to create a National Commission to investigate the January 6 attack. We must never allow this to happen again.”
As a Marine and as a Member of Congress, I took an oath to defend our constitution and our democracy. Today I honored that oath by voting to create a National Commission to investigate the January 6th attack. We must never allow this to happen again. pic.twitter.com/vS7mJmkJhu
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) May 19, 2021
Greg Stanton released a statement on Twitter as well. “What occurred on January 6 was more than an insurrectionist mob attempting to violently overthrow the government and the results of a legitimate election-it was a catastrophic, government-wide failure of leadership, intelligence gathering, and preparation. It put our national security at risk. The American people deserve a thorough and unbiased account of what happened – before and after the attack – so that nothing like this can ever happen again.”
Today, the House will pass legislation to form a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) May 19, 2021
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/0Vnw74BfmR
Tom O’Halleran supports the commission, stating on Twitter, “I voted in favor of this bipartisan initiative so that we can better ensure the safety of staff and hardworking Capitol Complex employees, and get a full picture of the intelligence disconnect leading up to these deadly events.”
