March 28, 2023

Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Torres Statement on Republicans’ Reinvestigation of Jan. 6

Washington, D.C. – Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight Ranking Member Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued the following statement in response to the release of initial findings in Subcommittee Chairman Barry Loudermilk's reinvestigation of Jan. 6:

"As the Ranking Member of the House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, I find it unacceptable – but not surprising – the Republican majority has released these findings without previously sharing any information with the Democratic minority, including myself, my office, and the committee's Democratic staff. We have not held any meetings, public or private, to discuss this process. Republicans have repeatedly ignored the security concerns of these actions, instead joining conspiracy theorists like Tucker Carlson to tell lies about the events of Jan. 6.

"No amount of selective editing can distort the truth: armed, violent insurrectionists overran the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. On that horrific day for America, I was face down with my colleagues in the House Chamber, praying we would get out alive.

"Securing the Capitol complex must be a nonpartisan issue. There needs to be a clear, democratic process in place to ensure the security of every visitor and employee on campus.

"It is still my hope we can come together to keep the Capitol complex safe and support the U.S. Capitol Police, which repeatedly stressed the security risks of releasing sensitive footage. The bipartisan House select Jan. 6 committee already spent 18 months investigating the attack on the Capitol. It's time for us to look forward and focus on solutions. The safety and integrity of our democracy depend on us doing so."