LANSING, Mich., June 24, 2021 – House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township) and state Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) were joined by military veterans and law enforcement at a press conference today calling for the creation of a bipartisan committee to investigate Michigan’s ties to the D.C. insurrection. Last week, Lasinski introduced House Concurrent Resolution 10 to create the bipartisan joint select committee.
“Michigan played a unique role in setting the stage for the attack and attempted insurrection at our U.S. capitol nearly six months ago,” Lasinski said. “It’s our duty to ensure this never happens again, and the people of Michigan deserve answers and accountability for those involved. Acts of violence against our democracy, both in Michigan and in D.C., cannot be ignored or left unexamined. We must ask the tough questions for the sake of our democracy and future generations.”
“It is essential that we convene a group of bipartisan legislators to find the underlying causes of the insurrection — which was nothing short of domestic terrorism, let’s just get that out there — because if we haven’t learned by now from April 30, 2020 or Jan. 6, 2021, it’s that history WILL repeat itself,” Hollier said. “It’s just a matter of when. Transparency is key. Accountability is key. Rooting out the truth is key.”
The proposed committee would be composed of twelve members of the Legislature – six Senators and six Representatives, which must include an even number of Democrats and Republicans from each chamber.
“We know all too well that extremist groups target veterans and military personnel for our unique skills and natural leadership abilities,” said Naveed Shah, a U.S. Army veteran. “Domestic terrorist organizations take advantage of vulnerable veterans, perpetuating negativity towards the government and even the very constitution that we took an oath to defend. The insurrection on the Capitol, and the attack in Lansing, need to be fully investigated to root out these predatory extremists.”
“The attack on our Capitol last January was a national disgrace,” said Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt. “I work with brave men and women in law enforcement every day who strive to defend the ideals this nation was built upon, and the domestic terrorists who stormed the Capitol in D.C. represent everything we’ve dedicated our lives to defending against.”
This resolution followed a letter from Lasinski and Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) delivered to Republican leadership two weeks ago, inviting them to create a bipartisan coalition in support of the committee. Recent congressional efforts to create a similar national commission failed.
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