House Republicans are planning to establish a long-term subcommittee focused on investigating the events of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
A proposal was submitted on Wednesday to set up this subcommittee, with GOP leaders indicating this effort had been on hold for several months.
According to reports, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) is spearheading the initiative and has received direct backing from former President Trump in his push to form the committee.
This comes just weeks ahead of the original committee’s establishment. If the House takes a break in August, a vote on the resolution to create this select committee is unlikely until September, when the Chamber of Commerce reconvenes. As is customary for subcommittees, all members will need approval from the House Speaker.
The new subcommittee will operate under the House Judiciary Committee and will be chaired by Loudermilk. He previously led investigations during the last session of the House Oversight Committee related to January 6.
Loudermilk’s earlier probes examined Capitol security, including work by the Democratic-led January 6 committee formed after Trump supporters breached the Capitol in support of his false claims about the election.
“House Republicans are proud of what we’ve accomplished so far in countering the misleading narratives presented by the January 6 committee during the previous Congress, but we clearly have more to do,” Loudermilk expressed. “Today’s resolution can help us keep pushing to set up these subcommittees and reveal the full truth owed to the American people. House Republicans aim to provide answers that House Democrats have conveniently overlooked.”
Loudermilk has committed to leading this select subcommittee to further investigate the January 6 events, and the announcement of the panel was made by Johnson in January.
However, several months have gone by without the committee being formed, which is a source of frustration. Competing priorities, like the approaching government shutdown and other legislative bills, have taken precedence.
There are also ongoing disputes regarding the scope of the panel’s legislative authority. Loudermilk hopes to expand the lines of inquiry from previous investigations, although he’s been disappointed by the speaker’s office on some aspects.
Sources indicate that these jurisdictional issues have now been addressed. The panel will have a broad scope under the Judiciary Committee to investigate matters related to January 6, with commitments from leadership and the White House to consider various lines of inquiry, possibly including a reevaluation of the previous Democratic-led panel’s findings.
The panel will consist of eight members, with three being appointed by minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). They’re expected to finalize their report by December 31, 2026.
Loudermilk stated that his previous investigations showed “a series of intelligence, security, and leadership failures at many levels, but there’s still much work ahead.”
“It’s crucial that we keep seeking the facts and begin necessary reforms to prevent such security failures from occurring again,” Loudermilk said.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) criticized the previous Democratic-led January 6 committee and lauded Loudermilk’s efforts.
“The January 6 committee didn’t reveal significant information to the public, and Rep. Loudermilk was at the forefront of addressing those shortcomings. He will continue tirelessly to uncover the truth,” Jordan remarked.
The earlier Democratic panel depicted Trump’s anger and his allies, with members like Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) receiving preemptive pardons from President Biden on his last day in office amid potential prosecution threats.
Both Loudermilk and Jordan have expressed personal grievances regarding the January 6 committee. Jordan refused to comply with their subpoena, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the investigation. Loudermilk was also questioned by the committee, which he believed was merely pushing a “fabricated narrative” related to a Capitol tour he gave on January 5, 2021.
A prior interim report released by Loudermilk in December 2024 indicated ongoing criminal investigations into Cheney and alleged witness tampering regarding Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony.
