Headline RoundupMay 28th, 2021

Senate GOP Blocks January 6th Commission With Filibuster

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Senate Republicans on Friday blocked legislation to create an independent bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th storming of the U.S. Capitol by Trump-supporting rioters. While the final procedural vote was 54-35 in favor, Republicans withheld enough votes to stop the bill’s supporters from getting over the 60 vote threshold required to overturn a filibuster. This was the first time Republicans used the filibuster this legislative session, as support grows among Democrats for reforming or abolishing the practice. Republican Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (La.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Ben Sasse (Neb.) voted in favor. Eleven senators missed the vote, including Democrats Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Patty Murray (Wash.). House Democrats previously passed the bill in a 252-175 vote with the support of 35 Republicans. 

Coverage from across the spectrum was relatively similar, highlighting the role of the filibuster in blocking the bill as well as the six Republicans who voted in favor.

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