Establishing the Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021.

Legislative Summary: H. Res. 605

Establishing the Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021

Overview

House Resolution 605 establishes a specialized investigative body within the House Committee on the Judiciary. The primary purpose of this select subcommittee is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, and produce a final report on "remaining questions" regarding those events.

Key Provisions

1. Composition and Structure

• Membership: The subcommittee consists of no more than eight members. These members are appointed by the Speaker of the House, with a requirement that no more than three are appointed in consultation with the minority leader.
• Leadership: The Speaker designates the chair. The chair and ranking minority member of the full Committee on the Judiciary serve as ex officio members (meaning they are members by virtue of their office) but cannot vote or be counted toward a quorum.
• Legal Status: Members of the select subcommittee are granted the same status and privileges as members of the Committee on the Judiciary for the duration of the investigation.

2. Investigative Authority

The subcommittee is granted significant powers to gather evidence and testimony:
* Subpoena Power: The chair is authorized to issue subpoenas to compel the furnishing of information and the taking of depositions.
* Intelligence Access: The subcommittee is authorized to receive information from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, subject to standard congressional reporting and security requirements.
* Depositions: The chair may order depositions to be taken by subcommittee members or legal counsel.
* Information Transfer: The Committee on House Administration must transfer all relevant records to the subcommittee within seven days of the resolution's adoption.

3. Constraints and Limitations

• No Legislative Power: The subcommittee is strictly investigative; it is prohibited from holding a markup of legislation.
• Jurisdictional Limit: Its focus is limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary.

Timeline and Termination

• Final Report: The subcommittee must submit its final report to the Committee on the Judiciary by December 31, 2026.
• Termination: The subcommittee will be dissolved upon the earlier of two dates:
  1. 30 days after the filing of the final report.
  2. The final day of the 119th Congress.

Impact and Scope

The bill primarily affects government officials, witnesses, and entities related to the events of January 6, 2021, who may be subject to subpoenas or depositions. By creating a dedicated body with subpoena power and access to intelligence data, the resolution ensures a formal, structured mechanism for the 119th Congress to revisit and document unanswered questions regarding the Capitol riot and the surrounding circumstances.