US Senate Republicans Set to Block Capitol Riot Inquiry Panel

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans are ready to deploy the filibuster to block a commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection, shattering hopes for a bipartisan probe of the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol and reviving pressure on Democrats to do away with the procedural tactic that critics say has lost its purpose.

The vote Thursday would be the first successful use of a filibuster this year to halt Senate legislative action. Most Republicans oppose the bill, which would establish a commission to investigate the attack by Donald Trump supporters over the election.   "We have a mob overtake the Capitol, and we can't get the Republicans to join us in making historic record of that event? That is sad," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat. "That tells you what's wrong with the Senate and what's wrong with the filibuster."   The filibuster is a time-honored Senate tradition that requires a vote by 60 of the 100 senators before a bill can go forward. With the Senate evenly split 50-50, Democrats would need support of 10 Republicans to move to the commission bill.