Katko Statement on January 6 Security Review Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on the introduction of the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act, with Chairman Bennie Thompson, that would create an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 as well as security vulnerabilities of the Capitol complex:

“The security breach that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was unacceptable. It was a major breakdown in information sharing and preparedness, much like the shortfalls that existed prior to 9/11. Unfortunately the Capitol remains a target for extremists of all ideologies, as we also witnessed during the April 2 attack that took a Capitol Police officer’s life. That’s why we must do everything we can to ensure nothing like this can ever happen again. An independent, bipartisan commission will remove politicization of the conversation and focus solely on the facts and circumstances surrounding the security breach at the Capitol as well as other instances of violence relevant to such a review.

“The U.S. Capitol Police are responsible for ensuring the safety of Congress and the public and maintaining order while protecting the U.S. Capitol – the seat of our nation’s government. We need an independent review and assessment of the Capitol security complex, as well as law enforcement readiness, decision-making, and bureaucracy leading up to January 6.

“As I have called for since the days just after the attack, an independent, 9/11-style review is critical for getting answers our USCP officers and all Americans deserve. This is about facts, not partisan politics. I appreciate Chairman Thompson’s robust collaboration and strong commitment to working together on this effort. I believe we have a fair, solid bill that will deliver answers on the federal response and preparedness to ensure nothing like this happens ever again.”

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