Senate Republicans use filibuster to kill Jan. 6 commission

Senate Republicans on Friday blocked the Senate from debating a bill to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In a remarkable political moment, Republicans on Friday blocked the Senate from moving forward on a bill that would establish a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 assault by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol they were forced to flee in fear. Six Republicans joined Democrats in the 54-35 vote, but that fell four votes short of the 60 needed to start debate on establishing a commission -- which then, normally, would require only a simple majority to pass in a final vote. "Out of fear or fealty to Donald Trump, the Republican minority just prevented the American people from getting the full truth about January 6," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said right after the vote. "Senate Republicans chose to defend the 'Big Lie' because they believe anything that might upset Donald Trump could hurt them politically," he said.