After Republicans in the Senate used the filibuster to kill legislation establishing a bipartisan commission investigating the deadly failed insurrection against the U.S. Capitol, the Democratic House of Representatives voted to establish a select committee on the matter instead.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will name 13 representatives to the committee, with Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California consulting with her on the appointment of five Republican members.
The development comes as congressional Republicans continue to dismiss the severity of the riots and dispute the reality that former President Donald Trump's lies about the 2020 election were what prompted his supporters to storm the Capitol.
Only two Republican members of Congress—Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois—voted in favor of establishing the commission. Since the riots, the pair has repeatedly placed the blame on Trump's election lies, and both voted in favor of his second impeachment for inciting an insurrection.
Pelosi has confirmed that Cheney will sit on the commission, saying:
"We are very honored and proud she has agreed to serve on the committee."
The full list of members is yet to be known, but there's speculation that Kinzinger will also serve on the committee.
But Minority Leader McCarthy warned his caucus that if any Republican accepts an appointment from Pelosi to the committee, they'll lose all other committee assignments, according to Punchbowl News.
In comments to CNN congressional correspondent Manu Raju, Kinzinger didn't seem fazed by the threat.
When asked about it by Raju, the Congressman responded:
"Who gives a s**t? When you've got people who say crazy stuff and you're not gonna make that threat, but you make that threat to truth-tellers, you've lost any credibility."
McCarthy has fallen under criticism for his refusal to strip members like Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida—who's currently embroiled in a child sex trafficking scandal—from their committees.
Earlier this year, Democrats in the House voted to strip Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia from committees after her previous posts endorsing deranged conspiracy theories and the execution of her now-colleagues resurfaced. McCarthy slammed Democrats for the move and has since appointed Greene to a Republican task force on American freedoms.
People sided with Kinzinger.
And this is exactly the right response. https://t.co/WiEMHUkgRB— Adam McLain (@Adam McLain) 1625151360.0
I don't agree with him on much, but so much respect for his honesty and integrity. If only more Republicans were like Rep. Adam Kinzinger we would have a stronger country. But a Party that condemns leaders like him while ignoring the antics of Gaetz and MTG is a danger.
— Marilyn #GotVaxxedNotDead #ClimateCrisis 💙 (@MagicalMerlin50) July 1, 2021
Hear, hear https://t.co/1WXkIUgbTy— Kevin Riordan (@Kevin Riordan) 1625154478.0
What? Did he seriously say that? Perfect response!
— Cyndi (@CyndiLeea) July 1, 2021
My man!!! @AdamKinzinger has more heart than most of his colleagues combined. America needs more leaders like this!!
— TheValuesVoter (@TheValuesVoter) July 1, 2021
He definitely needs to be on the select committee.
— (((txtbkEnigma))) 🏴☠️ (@txtbkEnigma) July 1, 2021
The reception for McCarthy was...not as kind.
Dude has scruples and makes a very strong point. @GOPLeader you must think we are as crazy as your master. We are… https://t.co/MivkXcaYWZ— CEE Anders (@CEE Anders) 1625155212.0
@GOPLeader McCarthy is a traitor. The truth will come out. https://t.co/RQTG74yErD— South Jersey Phil (@South Jersey Phil) 1625151973.0
McCarthy, for his part, claims he hasn't threatened anyone with committee assignments, but that members can't expect to get committee assignments from both the Democratic Speaker and the Republican conference.