US Capitol riot: Senate Republicans block independent probe into the matter

Lekha G

The Republicans in the Unites States Senate obstructed a proposal to establish an independent commission to probe the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters to ratify President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

The bill needed 60 votes to establish the commission but mustered only 54 votes with 35 Republicans opposing it.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, “We all know what’s going on here. Senate Republicans chose to defend the ‘Big Lie’ because they feared that anything that might upset Donald Trump could hurt them politically.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell argued that a commission would lead to duplication of work done by other congressional committees and federal criminal investigation that has so far arrested more than 440 people.

The proposed commission would have had the power to force witnesses, possibly including Trump, to testify under oath about the happenings of that day. Trump had urged Republican lawmakers to vote against it and warned of “Consequences” for those who supported it.

The bill was supported by four moderate Republicans Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rob Portman and Mitt Romney. Democrats have expressed frustration at the opposition saying they had “Seen the limits of bipartisanship”.

The White House said Biden however remained committed to a full, independent investigation of the attack.

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