WASHINGTON—Rep. Jim Banks has joined Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s select committee investigating the Jan. 6, attack on the U.S. Capitol, vowing not to let Democrats turn the proceedings into a forum for maligning conservatives.
Banks was chosen by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as the Ranking Member for Republicans on the committee.
“I have accepted Leader McCarthy’s appointment to this committee because we need leaders who will force the Democrats and the media to answer questions so far ignored. Among them, why was the Capitol unprepared and vulnerable to attack on January 6?” said Banks in a statement released Monday.
“If Democrats were serious about investigating political violence, this committee would be studying not only the January 6 riot at the Capitol, but also the hundreds of violent political riots last summer when many more innocent Americans and law-enforcement officers were attacked. And of course, the committee would not overlook the Good Friday murder of USCP Officer Billy Evans that was perpetrated by a far-left extremist.”
Banks joined the committee, despite having reservations about its purpose.
“Make no mistake, Nancy Pelosi created this committee solely to malign conservatives and to justify the Left’s authoritarian agenda.”
The committee was formed after Republicans in the Senate rejected legislation that would have formed a commission to investigate the attacks.
“Even then, I will do everything possible to give the American people the facts about the lead up to January 6, the riot that day, and the responses from Capitol leadership and the Biden administration. I will not allow this committee to be turned into a forum for condemning millions of Americans because of their political beliefs.”
