This week: Democrats move forward with Jan. 6 probe | TheHill – The Hill
Democrats are poised to move forward with a probe into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack after Republicans stonewalled an independent commission.
The House is set to vote this week before leaving for a three-week July 4 break on establishing a select committee to investigate the attack.
Jan. 6 was one of the darkest days in our nation's history ... it is imperative that we establish the truth of that day and ensure that an attack of that kind cannot happen and that we root out the causes of it all, Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPhotos of the Week: Infrastructure, Britney Spears and Sen. Tillis's dog Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight Wallace has contentious interview with GOP lawmaker: Aren't you the ones defunding the police? MORE (D-Calif.)told reporters late last week.
The decision comes after the Senate, which has started a two-week recess, failed to break a 60-vote legislative filibuster on legislation to establish an evenly divided commission of outside experts. Six Republicans voted for the bill establishing the commission and a seventh, Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyBlack women look to build upon gains in coming elections Watch live: GOP senators present new infrastructure proposal Sasse rebuked by Nebraska Republican Party over impeachment vote MORE (Pa.), said he would have voted for it but missed the vote.
House Democrats have been chewing over multiple options for how to probe the attack, where a mob of former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump calls Barr 'a disappointment in every sense of the word' Last foreign scientist to work at Wuhan lab: 'What people are saying is just not how it is' NY prosecutors give Trump Org lawyers Monday deadline: report MOREs supporters breached the Capitol as lawmakers and then-Vice President Pence were counting the Electoral College vote.
Some Democrats had pushed for the House Homeland Security Committee, an already established panel, to take the lead on an investigation given that Chairman Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonDemocrats to create select committee to probe Jan. 6 attack DHS considering asylum for migrants whose cases were terminated under Trump Democratic clamor grows for select committee on Jan. 6 attack MORE (D-Miss.) and Rep. John KatkoJohn Michael KatkoJan. 6 probe poised to spill into 2022, with no complaints from Democrats Democrats to create select committee to probe Jan. 6 attack Bipartisan lawmakers highlight COVID-19 impact on mental health, addiction MORE (N.Y.), a moderate Republican, negotiated the deal on the legislation for the independent commission.
But a select committee would empower Democratic leaders to dictate the ground rules of the investigation, including the scope, the numerical composition of members, the parameters surrounding the panel's subpoena powers and the timeline for ending the probe.
Sources told The Hill last week that Pelosi was mulling tapping Thompson to lead the select committee.
Infrastructure
President BidenJoe BidenTrump calls Barr 'a disappointment in every sense of the word' Last foreign scientist to work at Wuhan lab: 'What people are saying is just not how it is' Toyota defends donations to lawmakers who objected to certifying election MORE is working to save a bipartisan infrastructure deal after he caused a GOP firestorm by suggesting late last week, just hours after the agreement was announced, that he wouldnt sign it unless it was accompanied by a larger, multitrillion-dollar Democratic-only bill.
Biden tried to clean up his previous statement over the weekend, saying that it was not his intent to suggest he would veto the bipartisan agreement.
But Biden also tried to balance his competing pressure points, arguing that Republicans shouldn't oppose the bipartisan deal just because Democrats, as theyve been telegraphing for weeks, are going to try to pass a second larger bill under reconciliation that allows them to bypass the 60-vote legislative filibuster. He also argued that progressives shouldnt vote against the bipartisan deal just because it doesnt go as far as they want.
I will ask Leader [Charles] Schumer to schedule both the infrastructure plan and the reconciliation bill for action in the Senate. I expect both to go to the House, where I will work with Speaker Pelosi on the path forward after Senate action. Ultimately, I am confident that Congress will get both to my desk, so I can sign each bill promptly, Biden said.
Bidens remarks appeared to appease Republicans in the core negotiating group, who remained supportive of the agreement during appearances on the Sunday shows.
Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanHeadaches mount for Biden in spending fight Biden adviser on president signing bill: 'I don't think it's a yes-or-no question' Barasso says Biden must do more to reassure GOP MORE (R-Ohio) said he was blindsided by Bidens remarks, but added that he was very glad to see the president clarify his remarks because it was inconsistent with everything that we had been told all along the way. We were all blindsided by the comments the previous day.
I'm glad they've now been de-linked and it's very clear that we can move forward with a bipartisan bill that's broadly popular, Portman told ABCs This Week.
Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyPhotos of the Week: Infrastructure, Britney Spears and Sen. Tillis's dog Biden adviser on president signing bill: 'I don't think it's a yes-or-no question' Barasso says Biden must do more to reassure GOP MORE (R-Utah) said he trusted Biden before signaling that he accepted the presidents clarification.
I do trust the president and, he made very clear in the much larger statement that came out over the weekend, the carefully crafted and thought through piece by piece, as that if the infrastructure bill reaches his desk, and it comes alone, he will sign it, Romney said during an interview with CNNs State of the Union.
But it remains to be seen if Bidens remarks are enough to quell the larger GOP furor, after Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump calls Barr 'a disappointment in every sense of the word' Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight Biden adviser on president signing bill: 'I don't think it's a yes-or-no question' MORE (R-Ky.) panned Bidens rhetoric and two Republicans in the larger gang of 21 Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGreen groups shift energy to reconciliation package Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight Barasso says Biden must do more to reassure GOP MORE (S.C.) and Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranBipartisan senators ask CDC, TSA when they will update mask guidance for travelers Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight Senate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate MORE (Kan.) threatened to pull their support.
Biden will have to balance any overture to Republicans with the challenge of also keeping progressives on board amid worry from the left that the two-track system could cause centrists to boot priorities like expanding Medicare and climate change.
Let me be clear: There will not be a bipartisan infrastructure deal without a reconciliation bill that substantially improves the lives of working families and combats the existential threat of climate change. No reconciliation bill, no deal. We need transformative change NOW, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersPolitical campaigns worry they're next for ransomware hits Headaches mount for Biden in spending fight How Biden can reframe and reclaim patriotism, faith, freedom, and equality MORE (I-Vt.) tweeted on Sunday.
Amid the wrangling over Bidens plan, the House will vote this week on a $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill to invest in roads, bridges, transit and rail.
Confederate statues
The House will vote on legislation to remove statues of people who served the Confederacy or otherwise worked to uphold slavery that are currently displayed in the Capitol.
Among the provisions in the bill is language that would replace a bust of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, who authored the 1857 Dred Scott ruling that Black people did not have the rights of citizens and couldn't sue in federal courts, with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court justice.
In addition to statues of figures related to the Confederacy, the bill would also require the removal of the statues of Charles Brantley, a former North Carolina governor who espoused white supremacy; John Caldwell Calhoun, who defended slavery; and James Paul Clarke, a former governor and senator that Arkansas has already announced it will replace.
Iraq War
The House is set to vote to repeal the1991 Iraq War authorization, giving a big boost to a years-long effort to roll back the authorization for the use of military force.
The Houses vote comes as efforts to rein in the executive branchs war authority are ramping up in a shift from Congresss increasingly hands-off approach.The chamber already voted earlierthis month to repeal the 2002 Iraq War authorization.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to advance legislation from Sens. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineHeadaches mount for Biden in spending fight Infrastructure breakthrough marks victory for political center Democrats hit wall on voting rights push MORE (D-Va.) and Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden helps negotiate bipartisan infrastructure deal Overnight Defense: Joint Chiefs warn against sweeping reform to military justice system | Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal | National Guard may have 'training issues' if not reimbursed Senate panel plans July briefing on war authorization repeal MORE (R-Ind.) that would repeal both the 2002 and 1991 Iraq War-related authorizations.
Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerThe Innovation and Competition Act is progressive policy Infrastructure deal: Major climate win that tees up more in reconciliation bill Democrats seek to calm nervous left MORE (D-N.Y.) announced earlier this month that he supports repealing the authorization and is committed to bringing it up for a vote on the Senate floor this year.
The Iraq War has been over for nearly a decade and authorization passed in 2002 is no longer necessary in 2021. ... It no longer serves a vital purpose in our fight against violent extremists, Schumer said from the Senate floor.
I strongly and fully support repealing the 2002 authorization for the use of military force in Iraq, he said. It is my intention as majority leader to bring this matter to a floor vote this year."
Read the original post:
This week: Democrats move forward with Jan. 6 probe | TheHill - The Hill
- Democrats unflinching in shutdown strategy, blaming Trump with millions at risk of losing food aid - CNN - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- These Two Democrats Were Runaway Favorites. They Havent Sealed the Deal. - The Wall Street Journal - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats get aggressive on remapping congressional lines - Politico - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Bookman: Democrats have a chance to flip governor's seat in Georgia, with the right candidate - Georgia Recorder - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats on the Graham Platner controversy - WHYY - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats dig into Army Corps project funding freezes - E&E News by POLITICO - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats move forward with new 2028 calendar - Politico - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats plan to sue over food aid as GOP splits on legislative patch - Politico - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- A democratic socialist is poised to become New York mayor. Democrats are nervous. - The Washington Post - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Hundreds of People With Top Secret Clearance Exposed by House Democrats Website - WIRED - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- How Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill hope to redefine Democrats in Virginia and NJ - USA Today - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats Just Lost a Key Ally in the Shutdown Fight - New York Magazine - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- As Democrats begin to set 2028 primary calendar, NH readies its case to lead off - New Hampshire Public Radio - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Top Democrats hit with brutal wake-up call on quest to take on Trump: Better listen - NJ.com - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrats are set to join the redistricting war. Their candidate for governor is staying out of it - CNN - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- AFGE, largest federal workers' union, calls for end to shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats - NBC News - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- If Democrats want to win, they need to start driving in the middle lane - The Hill - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats ACA Subsidy Fight Is Really About Red States - NOTUS News of the United States - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats Say Federal Workers Dont Want Them to Cave. Their Union Says Otherwise. - NOTUS News of the United States - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Is New Yorks Zohran Mamdani the future of the struggling US Democrats? - South China Morning Post - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Congresswoman Escobar, House Democrats Call on Trump Admin to Use SNAP Reserve Funding to Continue November Benefits Without Interruption -... - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Democrats can renovate the White House the right way when theyre in power - San Diego Union-Tribune - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Democrats Troll Grinch Melania Trump Over East Wing Destruction - Yahoo - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- The GOP expected Democrats to relent on the shutdown by now. That isn't happening. - NBC News - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- How Big Tent Are Democrats Willing to Go? - The Atlantic - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Opinion | How Can Democrats Win Back the Working Class? - The New York Times - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrats aim to redraw maps to help party gain seats in Congress - The Guardian - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Democrats Vote to Abandon Active Duty Military Members - Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (.gov) - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- GOP attempts to squeeze Democrats with vote to pay essential workers, including troops and TSA agents - CNN - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrats are the next surprising entrant into the redistricting battle - Politico - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Democrats ask Tennessee governor to cover aid for 690,000 imperiled by shutdown - Chattanooga Times Free Press - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- New Britain Democrats Talk Staffing, Funding and Resources in Run for Board of Ed - CT Examiner - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Top Democrats demand details of spy agencies role in boat strikes - The Washington Post - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- IN THE STATES: With Less Than Two Weeks to Election Day, Democrats Are Fired Up and Ready to Win Across the Board - democrats.org - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Gov. Shapiro heading to New Jersey, Virginia to help Democrats running for governor - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Ritz on CSPAN: Democrats and Fiscal Policy - Progressive Policy Institute - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Democrats Block Federal Worker Pay Bill as Shutdown Drags On - The New York Times - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Trump's White House ballroom will be a boon for us. Why are Democrats so triggered? | Opinion - USA Today - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Redistricting forces Houston Democrats of color to compete - The Texas Tribune - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Brandon McGinley: Democrats will regret trying to oust John Fetterman - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Democrats Reckon With Digital Fundraising Tactics Ahead of 2026 - Campaigns & Elections - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Chicago Democrats hold shadow hearing on Trumps immigration crackdown - FOX 32 Chicago - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Maryland Democrats hear from federal workers at Bowie town hall - WTOP - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Democrats call on 'disengaged' Trump to get involved to end shutdown - NBC News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Schumer blocks 12th GOP bid to reopen government as Trump says Democrats 'lost the negotiation' - Fox News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Opinion | Are These the Two Women Who Can Turn It Around for Democrats? - The New York Times - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Democrats Keep Falling for Political Fantasies. When Will They Learn? - Politico - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- The buzzy word that Democrats have pinned their hopes on - vox.com - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Karine Jean-Pierre on why she left the Democrats and calls herself independent - NPR - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Could Democrats win the shutdown standoff? Theyre still winning the blame game - CNN - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Despite the Democrats Government Shutdown, ICE Arrests the Worst of the Worst Including Pedophiles, Carjackers, and Gang Members - Homeland Security... - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Despite Democrats Government Shutdown, ICE Arrests the Worst of the Worst Including Pedophiles, Child Abusers, and Sexual Predators - Homeland... - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Democrats call on Rubio to help secure release of Palestinian-American teen held in Israeli prison - The Guardian - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Fetterman breaks with Democrats over shutdown, vows to put 'country over party' - Fox News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Despite Infighting, Democrats Can Still Unite Around One Common Goal - American Enterprise Institute - AEI - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Scalise Calls Out Democrats Prioritizing Hatred of Trump Over the American People - Congressman Steve Scalise (.gov) - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Review | In her new book, Bidens former press secretary lets Democrats have it - The Washington Post - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Chairman Comer Blasts Democrats for Smears Against President Trump, Urges Them to Reopen the Government - House.gov - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Democrats warn Trump team against weaponizing the IRS - The Washington Post - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Watch live: House Democrats weigh impacts of ongoing government shutdown - The Hill - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Scoop: Infuriated Democrats ramp up battle with Mike Johnson over seating Grijalva - Axios - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- SNAP Benefits: Fetterman Issues Government Shutdown Warning to Democrats - Newsweek - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Assessing Mike Johnsons Claims About Democrats and the Government Shutdown - The Dispatch - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Want to Know Who Is Winning the Democrats Civil War? Follow the Money. - The Free Press - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- In Texas special election, Democrats try to beat opponents and voter confusion - Roll Call - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Letters: Publishing opinion that demonized Democrats stokes divisions - NOLA.com - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Democrats call for a hearing on the use of the military on alleged drug boats - NPR - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Don't count on a blue wave in midterms. Most Americans say Democrats are 'weak.' | Opinion - USA Today - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Senator Marshall: Its Time for Democrats to Come to Their Senses - Senator Roger Marshall (.gov) - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- E&E News: Why Trump and Democrats are wrong about rising electricity prices - POLITICO Pro - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats aren't just 'caving' to the far left, they're 'bowing down' to them: Sen. Roger Marshall - Fox Business - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Opinion | Zohran Mamdani and the Democrats - The Wall Street Journal - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Crypto's Half-finished Legislative Agenda Teeters as CEOs Set Meeting With Democrats - CoinDesk - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- As the Shutdown Drags On, Democrats Talk With Crypto CEOs - Bloomberg.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Opinion: Democrats must stop the political games, end shutdown - The Detroit News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Another week, more freefall of Democrats voter registrations - The Center Square - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Why Trump and Democrats are wrong about rising electricity prices - E&E News by POLITICO - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats have an advertising advantage in this year's biggest elections - NBC News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats hold a key edge in the November elections: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- GOP federal candidates outraise Democrats in Iowa with one exception - TelegraphHerald.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]