The House approved a commission to probe the January 6 insurrection, when a mob of Donald Trump supporters breached the Capitol building as lawmakers were counting the Electoral College vote. The attack led to 6 deaths, over 140 injuries, hundreds of members of Congress and their staff fearing for their lives, and millions of Americans terrified that our democracy would collapse.

Structured much like the 9/11 Commission, the bipartisan committee would investigate the assault. It would make recommendations to help prevent future attacks on democratic institutions and provide a clear account of the events and run-up to January 6 — with a focus on why Trump supporters violently attacked the Capitol.

However, under pressure from Trump, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell publicly opposed the bipartisan agreement. McConnell previously stated that Trump was "practically and morally responsible" for the attack.We can't allow his fealty and cowardice to derail this commission and leave our country at risk for another assault.

Our fragile democracy has persevered, largely thanks to the millions of us who loudly condemned the attack on our nation. As we witnessed, most Americans want all those responsible for the attack on our country to be held to account. But Republicans in Congress and Trump's most fervent supporters are still pushing a false, revisionist account of the assault. These falsehoods make us vulnerable. Congress must protect our democracy.