BREAKING: GOP Successfully Blocks January 6 Commission In Senate, Marks First Legislative Filibuster Of Biden Presidency
Senate Republicans successfully rejected an attempt to begin debate on the establishment of a commission to investigate the protests in Washington, D.C. on January 6, marking the GOP’s first legislative filibuster of the Biden presidency. The final vote, according to early reports, was 54 to 35.
Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) were among the six Republicans who voted in support of the commission (R-NE).
According to Axios, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) stated in response, “I am sorry if an independent commission to study an attack on our democracy isn’t a Republican ad-makers idea of a good time.”
“This is too important,” Schumer added.
Moments before the vote, Schumer asked Republican senators, “What are you afraid of, the truth? Are you afraid that Donald Trump’s Big Lie will be dispelled?”
“The Department of Justice is deep into a massive criminal investigation. I do not believe the additional, extraneous ‘commission’ that Democratic leaders want would uncover crucial new facts or promote healing. Frankly, I do not believe it is even designed to.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) responded.
“That’s why the Speaker’s first draft began with a laughably rigged and partisan starting point, and why the current language would still lock in significant unfairness under the hood,” McConnell added.
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives 252-175 on Wednesday, with 35 House Republicans voting in favor.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has a similar argument to Sen. McConnell saying that a commission like this would be, “duplicative and potentially counterproductive” while there are investigations already ongoing.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) was one of the House Republicans who voted in support of the January 6 Commission.
According to a CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent, the House Democrats are now “considering opening a Dem-led probe into the attack,” Manu Raju tweeted.
#BREAKING: 54-35, Senate Republicans block effort to open debate on bill to create an outside commission to probe Jan. 6 attack. The vote marks their first successful legislative filibuster this Congress. House Dems are now considering opening a Dem-led probe into the attack
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 28, 2021
“Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, told reporters last week that some of his colleagues had concerns that the proposed commission’s work could be ‘weaponized’ against them in next year’s midterm elections,” reported by NBC News,
“It’s got such a heavy political overtone to it,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) added.
Sen. Joe Manchin (R-WV) blasted the Senate Minority Leader for forcing “any change we have to be bipartisan” more difficult.
“Mitch McConnell makes it extremely difficult. Mitch is, I like to think, a person who understands this institution as well if not better than anyone. He’s making it so difficult on something as soon as this commission. The commission is something this country needs.” Manchin stated.
“There’s no excuse. It’s just pure raw politics. And that’s just so, so disheartening. It really, really is disheartening. I never thought I’d see it up close and personal that politics could trump our country. And I’m going to fight to save this country.” he continued.
