House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced his five Republican choices to participate in the select committee investigating the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol building today.
And Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi promptly vetoed two of McCarthy’s picks saying Democrats in her caucus had raised specific objections to “the impact their appointments may have on the integrity of the investigation.”
Via Politico:
Pelosi rejected Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who was tapped to serve as ranking member, and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), both of whom voted to challenge certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral wins earlier this year. Her decision sent shock waves through the House and is likely to galvanize House Republicans against any participation in the investigation.
Another Republican, freshman Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), also voted not to certify Biden’s win, but Pelosi said she is “prepared to appoint” Nehls as well as Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), both of whom voted to certify the election.
McCarthy issued a scorching reply that made clear he would yank his other three picks if the speaker didn’t walk back her veto of Banks and Jordan, a move she’s highly unlikely to make.
You may recall Pelosi originally wanted to create an independent, bipartisan panel similar to the 9/11 commission. That measure was co-authored by Rep. John Katko (r-NY), and passed the House with the support of 35 GOP lawmakers.
Republicans in the Senate, however, blocked that effort, which led to House Democrats creating the select committee in June.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), who Pelosi has already chosen to be part of the committee, told reporters she agreed with Pelosi’s decision.
After Kevin McCoward pulls out of the 1/6 Select Committee, Liz Cheney crushes him: “At every opportunity, the minority leader has attempted to prevent the American people from understanding what happened. To block this investigation.” pic.twitter.com/Kg5BNxt9rF
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 21, 2021
"I agree with what the speaker has done."
Rep. Cheney addresses media after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejects Reps. Jim Banks and Jim Jordan for the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/rQixCI1orm pic.twitter.com/9cINnUPf67
— ABC News (@ABC) July 21, 2021
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy pulls all of his GOP selections for the Capitol riot committee after Speaker Pelosi rejects two of his pickshttps://t.co/1VVLGfjXvw pic.twitter.com/Mr3v47KR23
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 21, 2021