Jan. 6 Police Hero Emerges as Key Democratic Witness

The **Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)**, often called D.C. Metropolitan Police, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Washington, D.C.'s 68 square miles and 700,000 residents, operating under the Mayor and Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith with 3,851 sworn officers and over 600 civilians—one of the U.S.'s 10 largest local forces.[1][3][4] Founded on August 6, 1861, at President Abraham Lincoln's urging amid Civil War chaos, MPD evolved from a modest force of 10 sergeants and up to 150 patrolmen into a professional powerhouse.[2][3][6] Early policing dated to 1802 patrols, but Lincoln's initiative centralized authority, drawing from New York's model inspired by London's force. Over 160 years, MPD has navigated national crises: aiding the 1865 hunt for John Wilkes Booth after Lincoln's assassination and responding to President Garfield's 1881 shooting.[2][3] Milestones include appointing women matrons in 1881 and forming a Women's Bureau in 1918, reflecting growth in diversity and expertise.[3] Key achievements highlight MPD's pivotal role in historic events, from protecting the capital during social upheavals to coordinating with federal agencies like U.S. Capitol Police during protests on the National Mall.[1][2] Today, MPD leads in **technological crime-fighting**, deploying advanced evidence analysis, state-of-the-art IT, and a community policing philosophy—"Policing with Purpose. Serving with Care"—to foster resident partnerships and safer neighborhoods.[3][4][7] Its current status emphasizes innovation: the new One Judiciary Square headquarters integrates cutting-edge tech, ergonomic workspaces, and communal areas to boost productivity, morale, and retention amid recruitment challenges. Features like the Joint Operations Control Center enhance coordination with public safety partners, while community-focused designs build public trust.[5] M

**House Select Committees** are temporary or specialized panels in the U.S. House of Representatives, formed to tackle urgent investigations, hearings, and targeted issues beyond standing committees' scope, often dissolving after reporting findings.[1][2][5] Historically, the first select committee emerged on April 2, 1789, during the First Congress, tasked with drafting House rules—it lasted just five days.[2] Over time, they've evolved into vital tools for Congress, addressing scandals like the 1987 Iran-Contra affair via the House Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran.[2] Others, such as the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (2007–2011), held 80 hearings on climate change and the Deepwater Horizon spill, influencing the 2007 energy bill, 2009 stimulus provisions, and the Waxman-Markey bill (House-passed but stalled in Senate).[2] While most are short-lived, some like the **Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence** endure across Congresses.[2][6] Key achievements include exposing governmental misconduct, shaping policy—e.g., environmental legislation—and providing oversight on national security or emerging threats.[2] Currently, active examples encompass the **Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence** (intelligence oversight) and the **Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party** (tech rivalry, supply chains, and innovation—resonating with business/tech audiences amid U.S.-China tensions).[6] Notable aspects: Created by House resolution, they prioritize investigation over legislation but can draft bills; membership reflects party ratios.[2][5] Unlike permanent standing committees (e.g., Science, Space, and Technology), select panels offer agility for crises, from tech espionage to economic competition, making them pivotal in today's fast-evolving geopolitical landscape.[1][3][6] Though often disbanded post-task—like the 2011 energy committee—they underscore Congress'

The **United States Senate** includes several key committees critical to business and technology policy, notably the *Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship* and the *Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation*. These committees play pivotal roles in shaping legislation that impacts small businesses, innovation, technology development, and commerce nationwide. The **Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship** advocates for small businesses by overseeing the Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides capital access, education, technical assistance, and federal contracting opportunities to small enterprises. This committee’s historical role has been to ensure the vitality of small businesses, which are essential to the American economy. Recent efforts include bipartisan reforms targeting SBA program efficiency, fraud prevention related to pandemic aid, and support for entrepreneurship in underserved communities. They also focus on programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), which connect federal agencies with private entrepreneurs to accelerate research and development in critical tech areas, thereby maintaining U.S. technological leadership[1][4][5][8]. The **Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation** is one of the largest Senate committees, overseeing broad sectors including consumer protection, economic development, manufacturing, trade, science, and transportation infrastructure. It addresses emerging technologies, environmental issues like climate change, and space exploration, both government-funded and private. This committee significantly influences national business practices, product safety, competitiveness, and innovation ecosystems, affecting industries from maritime to digital technology[2][7]. Notable recent activities include Senate hearings on Big Tech antitrust and competition policies, emphasizing the need to regulate dominant technology firms to foster innovation and protect consumers and workers. This aligns with broader legislative efforts addressing artificial intelligence and technological competitiveness in 2025[6][10]. In summary, the Senate’s organizational structure and committees serve as crucial instruments in shaping U.S. business and technology landscapes. Through oversight, legislation, and reform initiatives, they support small businesses, promote innovation