The January 6 Committee about the riot at the Capitol building in 2021 announced on Tuesday they will postpone Wednesday's scheduled hearing due to Hurricane Ian making its main impact on Florida during the same day.
In light of Hurricane Ian bearing down on parts of Florida, we have decided to postpone tomorrow’s proceedings. We’re praying for the safety of all those in the storm’s path.
— January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) September 27, 2022
The Select Committee will soon announce a date for the postponed proceedings. https://t.co/DgNchy845D
But it turns out it was more than just optics about holding an overtly political committee hearing while parts of the country face a natural disaster. PBS NewsHour Correspondent Lisa Desjardins reported the January 6 Committee did not like the fact cable news coverage would be mainly focused on the hurricane.
Confirmed from mult. sources involved: The J6 Committee had multiple concerns w/ *Hurricane Ian* and timing tomorrow.
— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) September 27, 2022
One was Rep. Murphy and her district. The second was that cable news would be more focused on hurricane coverage through the day.
Heaven forbid you have to share airtime with a hurricane https://t.co/Efhv4jS1Vp
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) September 27, 2022
The super-urgent work of saving Democracy must be postponed because of a hurricane a thousand miles away? ?????https://t.co/d8TTqUoaZ6
— Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) September 27, 2022
Hurricane Ian is expected hit the Tampa Bay area of Florida hard, which has been a cause of extra concern since the region has not been directly hit by a hurricane in many decades and the influx of new Florida residents who have never experienced such a storm.