A series of hearings in the Senate and House begin today to address the security failures manifested during the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Here are the schedules:
Tuesday, February 23:
- Who: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, with leaders from U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Police (like acting MPD Chief Robert Contee), as well as the former sergeants-at-arms of the House and Senate.
- Focus: Tuesday will hone in on the role of leadership during the riots and the resulting security measures. U.S. Capitol police chief Steven Sund, and both the House sergeant-at-arms Paul Irving and Senate sergeant-at-arms Michael Stenger, resigned following the attacks. Now, the committee wants them to testify on their specific actions during the attack and what was, and wasn't, done – including decisions not to call for help from the National Guard.
Wednesday, February 24:
- Who: House Judiciary Committee, domestic terrorism experts
- Focus: This hearing will narrow in more on the warning signs and signals prior to the attack on the Capitol and hear more from experts.
Thursday, February 25:
- Who: House Financial Services Committee
- Focus: Titled "Dollars Against Democracy: Domestic Terrorist Financing in the Aftermath of the Insurrection," this hearing will look at the financial impact of the insurrection and at policing and security measures.
All hearings start at 10 a.m. EST each day.
These hearings are not to be confused with the 9/11- style independent commission that Speaker Pelosi has called for and which will have a more comprehensive mission, including "the facts and causes" of the January 6 insurrection (eg., Mango Mussolini's role in inciting the mob, and ties with right- wing domestic terrorist networks).
