Sen. Durbin calls on Congress to pass bipartisan Jan. 6 commission with more than 400 arrested

Posted on June 8, 2021
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). (Photo courtesy: Dick Durbin/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – As the hunt continues for more suspects alleged to play a part in the deadly capitol insurrections on January 6th, Illinois’ Senior Senator calls on Congress to form an independent investigation into the attack.

More than 400 people charged in federal court with storming the capitol, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin said there needs to be another vote after Republicans shot down the proposed commission.

“We ought to take it so seriously that we appoint a bipartisan commission to investigate what happened here on January 6th, 2021. Just a few weeks ago, Republican members of the House of Representatives were dismissing the January 6th events, the mob action here in the capitol. And saying somehow they were ‘orderly tourists,’ that’s what one of the Congressmen said; the congressman from Georgia, Republican. Those were orderly tourists, look at those videos and imagine under any circumstance they were orderly tourists.”

Last month, the House of Representatives approved a 9/11 style bipartisan commission to investigate the deadly riots; however, Senate Republicans voted down the bill.

“I bring this to attention to the Senate and the American people because I think the answer is obvious. Israel has taken it seriously; they don’t want a (former President) Trump-like mob to take control in their country. We shouldn’t be allowing this to happen, nor should we stop with what we have done, and no more should be said.

This was a direct attack on our democracy. We cannot find, unfortunately, in Republican leadership, one Republican leader who will support this idea of a bipartisan commission. When it comes to January 6th, the job isn’t finished,” Durban added.

LISTEN: Senator Dick Durbin spoke on the Senate floor. 

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) voted against the commission, while Congressmen Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) voted in favor of the commission.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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