Dear Neighbor,

Last night, 21 House Republicans voted against a resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the heroic police officers who defended the Congress and the Capitol during the January 6 insurrection.

These 21 members of Congress, all of whom preach unwavering support for law enforcement, couldn't even muster the courage or decency to join House Democrats in honoring the very men and women who saved their lives in January and who have kept them safe every day since. What could have been a unanimous display of gratitude and honor will instead go down as a moment of shame for the House Republican Conference.

I joined Erin Burnett on CNN to discuss last night's vote and the broader need to get to the bottom of the events of January 6. You can watch our conversation here:

Fortunately, despite the efforts of those 21 Republican members, the House passed the Congressional Gold Medal resolution resoundingly. But the whole ordeal further laid bare the need for a thorough and nonpartisan investigation into the insurrection and the events that led to it.

Several Congressional committees, including the Oversight and Reform Committee on which I serve, are conducting their own important inquiries into the attack on the Capitol. But Congress cannot possibly be expected to complete a fair and adequate investigation while members of one party refuse to stand in good faith with members of the other, even just to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of the police who defended us that day.

That's why I am reiterating my call for President Biden to form and appoint a Presidential Commission to fully investigate the insurrection at the United States Capitol, to identify the individuals and organizations who plotted or were involved in those violent acts, and to make recommendations to prevent such an attack from ever recurring.

The siege of the Capitol was an act of violent insurrection against a coequal branch of the federal government. It was an attack on American democracy itself. Unfortunately, between last night's vote and the Senate's blockade of a proposal for a bipartisan commission, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have proven themselves unable or unwilling to treat it as such.

For democracy's sake, it's time for a Presidential Commission.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.