Nancy Pelosi calls out Republican 'cowardice' for not voting in favor of Jan. 6 commission

The creation of the January 6 commission failed to reach the needed votes in the Senate, shooting down the chance to investigate what happened during the insurrection. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement criticizing Senate Republicans for their “cowardice” in not voting in favor of the commission.

Last week, following the Senate Republicans’ obstruction of the January 6 commission, Pelosi issued a statement ripping into the GOP. The House Speaker cited that the commission was already bipartisan legislation, with Democrats agreeing to the requests of the Republicans. The Senate failed to reach the needed votes, as not enough Republican Senators joined their Democratic counterparts to vote in favor.

“Leader McConnell and the Senate Republicans’ denial of the truth of the January 6th insurrection brings shame to the Senate. Republicans’ cowardice in rejecting the truth of that dark day makes our Capitol and our country less safe,” said Pelosi, who referred to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“Mitch McConnell and asked Senate Republicans to do him a ‘personal favor’ and vote against the January 6th commission. In doing so, Mitch McConnell asked them to be complicit in his undermining of the truth of January 6th. In bowing to McConnell’s personal favor request, Republican Senators surrendered to the January 6th mob assault,” Pelosi added.

Only six GOP Senators voted in favor of the commission: Mitt Romney, Ben Sasse, Rob Portman, Bill Cassidy, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, however, said he could force another vote on the commission after failing to meet the needed votes last week.

In other news, Pelosi reacted to the recent shooting that occurred at a Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose last week. At least eight people were killed, including the shooter, who was identified as an employee of the VTA. Authorities believe that the gunman died from self-inflicted wounds.

An investigation remains underway to determine the gunman’s motive for opening fire on the eight people that were killed. Pelosi called on Congress to move quickly in passing two bipartisan gun violence prevention bills that were passed by the House. Both bills are awaiting a vote in the Senate.