House GOP leader opposes bill to create commission to study Jan. 6 Capitol riot

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy opposed legislation Tuesday that would create a bipartisan commission to study the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, which some lawmakers have suggested could subpoena him as witness.

The leaders of the Homeland Security Committee — Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. John Katko of New York, the top Republican on the panel — unveiled the legislation Friday to create a 10-member commission that would issue a report by Dec. 31.

The House is expected to vote on the legislation Wednesday. The Senate must still consider it.

Democrats called the effort more urgent last week after several Republicans questioned the severity of the attack that left five dead and 140 police officers injured. Rioters temporarily halted the counting of Electoral College votes that confirmed President Joe Biden’s victory against former President Donald Trump.

But McCarthy, of California, opposed the bill creating a commission and criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for dragging her feet in negotiations. He said numerous committees are reviewing the event and that the Architect of the Capitol, which oversees the building and grounds, was allocated $10 million to remedy security vulnerabilities.

“While the speaker has wasted time playing political games, numerous congressional and intergovernmental agency efforts have picked up the slack,” McCarthy said in a statement.