McConnell’s sharp warning at a closed-door meeting had the desired effect on Friday, when Senate Republicans largely opted to stick with the Senate minority leader. By the following Tuesday, top House Republicans were urging their colleagues to oppose the commission bill, with McCarthy positioned against an inquiry on the basis that its scope focused narrowly on the Capitol attack. But as it became clear the scores of House Republicans would vote for the bill, his calculus quickly changed. Cognizant that Senate Democrats may find three or four more allies in uncertain Republicans, McConnell cracked down. In the end, only six Senate Republicans – Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Rob Portman, Lisa Murkowski and Ben Sasse – voted to move forward on the commission.

Source: The Guardian May 29, 2021 13:41 UTC