'Entitled to answers': Lee thanks mom of officer killed during Jan. 6 Capitol riots, demands answers

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) recently took to social media, thanking the late U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick's mother for her son's sacrifice.

Officer Sicknick was one of the officers who were killed during the Jan. 6 riots on the U.S. Capitol Complex.

"Thank you, Mrs. Sicknick, for sharing your heroic son Brian who gave his life in service to the nation. GOP senators should meet with you and vote for the Jan. 6 Commission because Americans, and you especially, are entitled to answers," Lee wrote in a tweet.

A day after sustaining injuries during the riot, Sicknick, who was 42, suffered a stroke and died, Office of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Francisco Diaz, told The Washington Post. The Justice Department has since opened a federal murder investigation regarding his death, NPR reported. 

"This does not change the fact Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty, courageously defending Congress and the Capitol," a statement by U.S. Capitol Police said, as reported by NPR.

Gladys Sicknick, and Sicknick's longtime girlfriend Sandra Garza, met with GOP senators to push their support for the proposed bipartisan commission to investigate, which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, Politico reported. 

“Not having a Jan. 6 Commission to look into exactly what occurred is a slap in the faces of all the officers who did their jobs that day,” Gladys Sicknick said in a statement provided to Politico. “I suggest that all congressmen and senators who are against this bill visit my son’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery and, while there, think about what their hurtful decisions will do to those officers who will be there for them going forward.”

Despite support in the House of Representatives for the independent commission which passed with all Democrats and 35 Republicans, the motion did not pass the Senate. 

Since moving onto the Senate, the independent commission was blocked by Republicans.  

According to an ABC News reported, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and most rank-and-file Republicans said they're concerned Democrats would make "political hay" out of the commission, dragging findings out into the crucial 2022 midterm election year, when control of both chambers is up for reassignment.