The case for the Jan. 6 commission

In the days immediately following the violent storming of the Capitol in January, Republican lawmakers came forward with an idea: Why not set up a bipartisan commission, similar to the one established after 9/11, to sort through the facts and determine how such a chaotic event happened? 

But now it appears that type of investigation might not happen. A bill to establish such a commission passed the House last week with support from every Democrat and 35 Republicans. GOP party leaders strongly oppose the bill, and most Republican senators said they will block it this week if Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer forces a vote. 

Thursday, host Kerri Miller examined the chances that the inquiry will still happen and what it says about America if it doesn’t. 

Guests:

• Jeffrey Engel is founding director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University and co-author of “Impeachment: An American History.” He also co-hosts a podcast called “The Past, The Promise, The Presidency.”

• Andra Gillespie is an associate professor of political science at Emory University.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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