Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Issues Statement on January 6 Commission Proposal

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today issued the following statement regarding H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act.

"I condemn the unlawful acts at the US Capitol on January 6. Those who threaten, destroy and steal property betray our fundamental Constitutional rights of free speech and peaceful assembly. 

Congress has the authority and the obligation to investigate the events of January 6 and should take steps to prevent lawlessness from occurring again. Congress and its committees of jurisdiction are fully equipped to handle this inquiry. They have subpoena power and subject-matter expertise. Most importantly, members of Congress must be accountable to the people, unlike a commission staffed with unelected, partisan appointees.  

To date, congressional committees have already held nine bipartisan hearings on the events of January 6. Most, if not all, should release reports or findings. These and future hearings must remain substantive, bipartisan, and transparent. Before rushing to create yet another new process, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats must explain to the American people why under their leadership, Congress cannot be counted on to fulfill its most basic oversight functions and responsibilities with accountability and integrity. 

In addition to the existing inquiries, the Architect of the Capitol is launching its own review of security vulnerabilities at the Capitol, which will be fully nonpartisan. Congress should demand a full review and release of all documents and evidence of every type relevant to uncovering the truth. The American people have a right to know.

I fear that this committee is little more than a fishing expedition at the taxpayer's expense and will cherry-pick the evidence to conform to the Democrat's narrative. Targeting individual members based on political views is also a grave concern. The very last revelation an outcome-based inquiry will produce is the truth. 

Wasting taxpayer money on duplicative investigations that appear to have a political motive is not serving the public or upholding our Constitutional principles which require adherence to the rule of law and the quest for truth."

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