Republican Liz Cheney named vice chair of House January 6 committee

Washington — Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming has been selected to serve as vice chair of the House select committee investigating the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, its chairman, Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson, announced Thursday.

"Representative Cheney has demonstrated again and again her commitment to getting answers about January 6th, ensuring accountability, and doing whatever it takes to protect democracy for the American people," Thompson, of  Mississippi, said in a statement. "Her leadership and insights have shaped the early work of the Select Committee and this appointment underscores the bipartisan nature of this effort." Cheney is one of two Republicans serving on the panel, the membership of which prompted sparring between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. While McCarthy picked five Republicans to serve on the select committee, Pelosi said in July she would be rejecting two of his selections because of comments they made about the Capitol attack.