LEE HAMILTON

The horror of Jan. 6 has been reduced from a stunning assault on American democracy to another political fight.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that a legitimate commission would be comprised of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Last week, she said the commission must be “strongly bipartisan” and have the power to subpoena witnesses. Republicans have suggested an evenly divided 10-member panel and have also objected to some of the rationale for forming the commission. But politics have changed in the intervening 17 years, and Democrats and Republicans rarely agree on anything — including, in some cases, basic facts. AdDemocrats now control both chambers, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has said he also supports a commission.

But to ensure Republican support, Pelosi said Democrats sent the proposal to GOP leaders “to see what suggestions they may have because, for this to work, it really has to be strongly bipartisan." It is an open question whether the commission will be authorized to investigate Trump's actions. Still, some Republicans have said they think such a commission is necessary alongside other congressional efforts to investigate the attack. “There’s still more evidence that the American people need and deserve to hear and a 9/11 commission is a way to make sure that we secure the Capitol going forward,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del. “Our country has been wounded,” the former 9/11 commission chairmen said.