Credit: (Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA)
DC: U.S. Congress
Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a bill that would create an independent commission to probe the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The 54-35 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to end the year’s first filibuster and consider the bill. Six Republicans joined Democrats: Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska; Rob Portman, of Ohio; Ben Sasse, of Nebraska; Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana; Mitt Romney, of Utah; and Susan Collins, of Maine.
The bill was passed in the House last week by a 252-175 vote, with 35 Republicans in favor. Senate Republicans, led by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, opposed the bill as he called it “purely political exercise”, bolstered by former President Donald Trump pressuring GOP leaders to oppose it.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says calls for a January 6 commission are a “purely political exercise.”
He says: “At the heart of this recommendation by the Democrats, is that they would like to continue to debate things that occurred in the past.” pic.twitter.com/B9PbqDs77k
— The Recount (@therecount) May 25, 2021
The vote was delayed through the night by a handful of Senate Republicans who obstructed China competitiveness legislation, though Democrats decided to push the bill until after the Memorial Day recess to push forward on the commission bill.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi commented on the vote shortly after the failure in a statement, vowing to still fight for an investigation.
.@SpeakerPelosi takes aim @LeaderMcConnell after he leads GOP in blocking Jan. 6 commission
“In bowing to McConnell’s personal favor request, Republican Senators surrendered to the January 6th mob assault.” pic.twitter.com/21lrtTT239
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) May 28, 2021
“In bowing to McConnell’s personal favor request, Republican Senators surrendered to the January 6th insurrection,” Pelosi said in the statement. “Honoring our responsibility to the Congress in which we serve and the Country which we love, Democrats will proceed to find the truth.”
