[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 93 (Thursday, May 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S3879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          JANUARY 6 COMMISSION

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise in support of the legislation 
to create an independent, bipartisan Commission to examine the January 
6 attack on the Capitol that killed five people.
  A full and honest review is critical not only to understand the 
events of that day but also to ensure the continued strength and well-
being of our democracy.
  On the afternoon of January 6, Americans watched in horror as 
thousands of insurrectionists stormed the Capitol to prevent the 
certification of a free and fair Presidential election.
  Many of us carry vivid memories from that nightmarish day. We recall 
the panic and confusion, the shouting and chants of an angry mob, and 
the crashing of windows and doors being smashed inside these hallowed 
halls.
  While many of us were on the Senate floor until being evacuated to a 
secure location by the Capitol Police and Sergeant at Arms, we have 
learned since that violent members of the mob were minutes away from 
reaching the Senate Chamber with us inside.
  Capitol Police officers, upholding their sworn duty to protect and 
defend the Capitol and Members of Congress, were beaten with sticks, 
bats, and even the American flag as the mob charged the building.
  Rioters broke into this very Chamber, dropping down from the Gallery, 
some carrying zip ties presumably to restrain any Senators or police 
officers they caught. Others were chanting ``hang Mike Pence'' while a 
makeshift gallows was built outside the Capitol Building.
  While these memories remain clear, I fear the record for January 6 is 
being blurred by misinformation and political posturing.
  An independent, bipartisan commission is our best chance to set the 
record straight and establish the truth about the events on January 6.
  Congressional committees, the Department of Justice, and President 
Trump's impeachment trial have conducted their own reviews of the 
violence on that day and some of the events leading up to it. However, 
those reviews weren't comprehensive and didn't have the stature of a 
congressionally mandated, independent, and bipartisan Commission, along 
the lines of the 9/11 Commission.
  In addition to providing an independent and authoritative account of 
the January 6 attack, the Commission would evaluate the motivation for 
and planning of the attack, identify gaps in law enforcement 
preparation and response, and enable Congress and the administration to 
take action to prevent future attacks.
  I would remind Senators that the same arguments being used against 
this Commission were used against forming the 9/11 Commission. 
``Reviews are already underway. It will become political. We need to 
look forward, not backward.'' But the 9/11 Commission revealed critical 
new information about the planning and implementation of that attack 
and made recommendations that led to landmark legislation. It is now 
the model of an independent Commission, and the legislation before us 
today is based on that model.
  I call upon every one of my colleagues to support this serious, 
comprehensive, and bipartisan review of the violent attack on the 
Capitol.
  We owe it to the American people to pass this legislation and 
establish an independent Commission.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

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