On Friday, the bill that would create a January 6 Commission, styled after the one created on 9/11, was blocked by most of the Republicans in the Senate. Six of the 50 didn’t.
The final vote was 54-35.
The six Republican senators who voted in favor of the commission were Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, Lisa Murkowski, and Ben Sasse.
Collins, who NPR calls “one of the most moderate Republicans in the Senate,” said on Wednesday, “I want to see a commission. We need a commission. There are a lot of unanswered questions.”
Republican Senator Ted Cruz stated why he voted against the formation of the commission.
“The January 6 terrorist attack on the Capitol was a dark moment in our nation’s history, and I fully support the ongoing law enforcement investigations into anyone involved. Everyone who attacked the Capitol must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and brought to justice. I also support the Senate committees of jurisdiction who are exercising their proper oversight roles to provide an in-depth and complete account of the attack. With multiple investigations already underway, I do not support the politically motivated January 6 Commission led by Sen. Schumer and Speaker Pelosi,” said Cruz in a statement.
Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell also offered his opinion. McConnell said he didn’t believe this was designed to “uncover crucial new facts, or promote healing” from Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer said from the Senate floor on Friday, “I’m sorry if an independent commission to study an attack on our democracy isn’t a Republican ad maker’s idea of a good time.”
“This is too important, too important. We cannot let the big lie fester. We cannot let faith in our elections continue to erode. We must get at the truth and restore Americans’ confidence in this beautiful, noble ongoing experiment in democracy,” he continued.
The January 6 commission legislation was passed in the House after the Capitol Building Riot occurred.
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, strongly advocated for the creation to bring more “facts and circumstances” to light.
According to Pelosi, the commission would’ve been created in an independent and bipartisan manner.
To date, there are still 400 people who were arrested as a result of being in connection with the riot, only two of them are charged with a serious crime.