PoliticoUS Senate Republicans filibuster Capitol attack commission, likely dooming independent investigation
- Only six Republicans broke ranks during the critical vote to establish a panel on the deadly January 6 siege by Donald Trump’s supporters
- The move marks the first time this year that Republican Senators have blocked one of the Democrats’ bills on the floor
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Nicholas Wu on politico.com on May 28, 2021.
Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a bill that would form an independent commission to probe the January 6 Capitol attack, the first filibuster of the year by the chamber‘s 50-vote minority.
The 54-35 vote, with six Republicans breaking ranks to join every Democrat in favour, came after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell lobbied his members forcefully against the House-passed commission measure.
The vote was delayed through the night by a handful of Senate Republicans who obstructed China competitiveness legislation, though Democrats decided to punt that bill until after the Memorial Day recess week to push forward on the commission bill.
Several undecided Republicans came down against advancing the commission ahead of Friday’s critical procedural vote, despite efforts by Senator Susan Collins of Maine to broker a compromise and last-minute lobbying by the family of fallen Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.