Lankford Opposes Special Commission

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after he opposed a bill being pushed by the US House to establish a January 6th Commission:

“Senator Schumer forced a political messaging vote on the flawed House commission this week because he knows that the Senate is currently finalizing a comprehensive bipartisan investigation involving six committees focused on Capitol security and lessons to learn from that terrible day. Senate Committees have already gathered information and heard testimony from the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, the Department of Justice, FBI, ATF, the Department of Defense, the Architect of the Capitol, US Capitol Police, the National Guard, the DC Mayor and Metropolitan Police, and both former Sergeants at Arms. Unlike the House, which is on a mission to seek tabloid-style testimony, the Senate Committees are focused on improving the safety and security of the US Capitol by addressing the serious needs and support for the US Capitol Police. While the House fought over how to form a bipartisan Commission, the Senate actually completed its bipartisan work without fanfare or drama.”

On February 23, 2021, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing to examine the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, during which Michael C. Stenger, Former Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper for the US Senate; Steven A. Sund, Former Chief of Police; Paul D. Irving, Former Sergeant at Arms for the US House of Representatives; Captain Carneysha Mendoza, Field Commander, US Capitol Police Special Operations Division; Jill Sandbord, Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division, FBI; Robert G. Salesses, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Global Security, US Department of Defense; and Major General William J. Walker, USA, Commanding General, DC National Guard, all testified in front of the Committee. Additionally, Christopher Wray, FBI Director testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee during a hearing entitled “Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: the January 6 Insurrection, Domestic Terrorism, and Other Threats.”

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