Congressional committees are the heart of Congress, and play a critical role in examining important legislative proposals. They hold hearings, make votes and exchange views on a wide range of issues. Each committee makes public the date, time and subject of any hearing it conducts. Committee meetings are also listed in the Daily Digest of the Congressional Record.
Committee News
The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack is out with a summary that provides the Justice Department with a trove of evidence of alleged crimes by President Trump. Robert Costa reports that the panel’s criminal referrals could ultimately have serious consequences for Trump — especially as he eyes a 2024 presidential campaign.
The committee’s report outlines 17 findings that it says support its decision to refer Trump for prosecution. It cites a wide variety of allegations, from witness intimidation and obstruction of justice to conspiracy and false statements. The summary lays out a timeline for the panel’s next steps: more public hearings, an interim report and, possibly, a final one before the November midterm elections. The panel is expected to keep pressing Republican lawmakers who communicated with Trump during the lead-up to the assault. Those include Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Jim Jordan of Ohio and Andy Biggs of Arizona. The panel has subpoenaed the men to testify, but they say they will not cooperate. The committee might have to sanction them by taking away their other committee assignments.
In the case of Trump, the summary indicates that the panel has determined that he violated the law by directing his campaign to amplify fraudulent voting allegations. It also accuses him of knowingly using his presidency for his own political gain and revealing confidential information to foreign governments. It suggests that he tried to overpower, pressure and cajole those who stood in his way – including state election administrators, Justice Department leaders and Democratic legislators. The report also suggests that he sought pardons for his closest aides and lawyers.
The committee is expected to make an interim report by the end of the winter and a final report before the Nov. 2022 midterms. It may also conduct additional investigations of its own. That is likely to include interviewing Capitol Police officers who were assigned to defend the Senate and House buildings on Jan. 6. The panel is expected to hold several public hearings on the matter, as well as depositions and in-person testimony from witnesses. The panel’s full report will be made public at the conclusion of its work. A transcript of the hearings will be published as part of the Congressional Record. For more on the committee’s probe, click here.