Congressman Gonzalez Votes to Find the Truth of the January 6th Insurrection

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted for H.Res. 503, which empowers Congress to find the truth of the January 6th insurrection at the United States Capitol and ensure that this assault on democracy does not happen again. This bipartisan legislation will create a Select Committee charged with investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes, as well as making recommendations to prevent similar domestic terrorist attacks.

"Buoyed by the vitriol of the former president and his supporters, violent extremists attempted to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power on January 6," said Congressman Gonzalez. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave U.S. Capitol Police officers who fended off the insurrectionists so that we could return to the House Chamber and certify the election results. Months later, many questions remain. The newly formed Select Committee will allow us to thoroughly investigate this attack on our democracy and find the truth. I look forward to reviewing its findings and moving this country forward with the facts."

On January 6th, the United States Capitol Complex was attacked by insurrectionists attempting to impede Congress's constitutional mandate to validate the results of the presidential election. The storming of the Capitol threatened the lives of Members of Congress, including Congressman Gonzalez, staff, institutional employees and D.C. and Capitol Police – killing five people, injuring more than 140 law enforcement officers, and instilling terror and trauma among the Capitol Hill community. In the wake of this domestic terrorist mob attack, many unanswered questions remain about its origins and the response to it.

The Committee will have thirteen members appointed by the Speaker, five of whom will be appointed after consultation with the Minority Leader. This House-passed resolution does not require Senate approval or a Presidential signature in order to take effect. This step comes after Senate Republicans, at the request of Mitch McConnell, blocked a popular and bipartisan bill to establish an independent 9/11-type Commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection. That proposal was negotiated and agreed upon by the bipartisan leadership of the House Homeland Security Committee and was endorsed by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission Chairs, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, as well as 140 national security experts.

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