A Republican filibuster today blocked the formation of an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capital while Congress was receiving the Electoral College votes from the states. To proceed, the proposal needed 10 Republican Senators to join the 50 Democrats in an affirmative vote.
Six Republican Senators were in favor and voted so: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Ben Sasse of Nebraska. A seventh Republican, retiring Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, who was not present, would have voted in favor according to a spokesperson [1].
Notably, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was opposed to forming a commission, admonishing his conference that a lengthy investigation would hurt the Republican party in the next election. [2] This isn't surprising, as McConnell told reporters on May 5,
Six Republican Senators were in favor and voted so: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Ben Sasse of Nebraska. A seventh Republican, retiring Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, who was not present, would have voted in favor according to a spokesperson [1].
Notably, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was opposed to forming a commission, admonishing his conference that a lengthy investigation would hurt the Republican party in the next election. [2] This isn't surprising, as McConnell told reporters on May 5,
"One-hundred percent of my focus is on stopping this new administration." [3]
Just like he did during President Obama's term.
As expected, former President Trump is opposed to any investigation, saying in a statement,
“Republicans in the House and Senate should not approve the Democrat trap of the January 6 Commission. It is just more partisan unfairness and unless the murders, riots, and fire bombings in Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, and New York are also going to be studied, this discussion should be ended immediately.” [4]
So the Republican party remains aligned with Donald Trump, maintaining fealty to a president twice impeached and whose divisive politics set new lows for civic discourse. The former president's power to field an opponent and defeat an incumbent straying from the Trump orthodoxy is feared.
I'm disheartened. My idealism clings to the naive notion that the national interest should trump politics. Yet it seems nothing will trump Trump, not even a riotous insurrection at the Capital.
[1] Senate GOP blocks Jan. 6 commission, likely dooming independent investigation, May 28, 2021, Politico
[2] Senate GOP moderates fume as McConnell prepares to block Jan. 6 commission, May 27, 2021, Politico
[3] While Trump calls him 'gutless,' Mitch McConnell says focus is 100% on 'stopping' Biden, May 5, 2021, Louisville Courier Journal
[4] Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, May 18, 2021