WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today released the following
statement on Senate Republicans blocking the vote to establish an independent,
bipartisan Commission to investigate the January 6th, 2021 insurrection:
“By voting to
block the creation of an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the
January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, the majority of Senate Republicans have
turned their backs on the men and women in uniform who, like Capitol Police
Officer Brian Sicknick, put their lives at risk every day to protect us. They
have chosen fealty to Donald Trump over their oath to uphold and defend the
United States Constitution, lies over truth, party over country,
authoritarianism over democracy, and the self-interests of one man over the
well-being of the American people. In one vote, Republicans have further
eroded Americans’ faith in government and our democratic institutions.
“On January 6,
2021, we all witnessed the violent storming of the Capitol by a violent mob of
Trump supporters hell-bent on stopping the official counting of Electoral
College votes to certify the election of President Joe Biden. This was a
grievous attack on our democracy. It was an insurrection and attempted coup
that left dozens of brave officers injured and threatened the lives of hundreds
of dedicated public servants who work each day in the Capitol on behalf of the
American people, including members of Congress.
“Despite
attempts by the overwhelming majority of congressional Republicans to rewrite
history, deny the facts and run away from the truth, the American people
deserve – and want – to know what happened on January 6th, what led to the
attack on our democracy, who was responsible, and how we can improve security
and future responses to threats at the U.S. Capitol to ensure this never
happens again. An independent January 6th Commission that puts partisanship
aside is our best chance to get to the unvarnished truth.
“It’s clear my
Republican colleagues take their marching orders from Mar-a-Lago and not from
the people they were elected to represent. The only question I have for those
who stand opposed: What are you afraid of?”
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