Illinois Valley Times

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Rockford) is defending his decision to serve on the House Select Committee probing the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol after being appointed by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

 “Self-governance requires accountability and responsibility,” Kinzinger said in a statement. “My faith requires the same of me, truth is necessary for order, and that’s what I will do. Let me be clear, I’m a Republican dedicated to conservative values, but I swore an oath to uphold and defend the constitution --- and while this is not the position I expected to be in or sought out, when duty calls, I will always answer.”

 Kinzinger said the moment calls for more than just partisan politics as usual.

“We are duty-bound to conduct a full investigation on the worst attack on the Capitol since 1814 and to make sure it can never happen again,” he said. “I will work diligently to ensure we get to the truth and hold those responsible for the attack fully accountable.”

Earlier on, Kinzinger cheered the appointment of fellow Republican lawmaker U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) to the committee.

“Fantastic news,” he tweeted on July 1. Kinzinger and Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, were the only two Republican legislators to cast votes in favor of the resolution to create the committee.

Not long before then, Cheney was dumped as one of the party leaders after repeatedly voicing opposition to former President Donald Trump. Cheney voted in favor of the second impeachment of Trump and has expressed skepticism about his claims that the 2020 election was rife with fraud.

Kinzinger may soon find himself fighting for his political life, with some predicting his district could be carved up by Democratic leaders in Springfield as part of a map redistricting plan.

Catalina Lauf recently announced she plans to face Kinzinger in next year’s Republican primary and is accusing him of being out of touch with the voters he is supposed to represent.