Topline

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday accused Senate Republicans of opposing a bill to create an independent commission to probe the Jan. 6 attack out of concern it will damage their chances of taking back Congress in the 2022 midterms – which plenty of Republicans seem willing to confirm.

Key Facts

After disputing a list of GOP objections to the commission, Schumer claimed the “real reason” is “politics,” citing a Politico report that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republicans he would oppose the commission “regardless of tweaks” because it “could hurt the party’s midterm message.”

Schumer quipped that he’s sorry if a commission to “study an attack on our democracy” isn't “a Republican ad-maker's idea of a good time.”

Schumer’s critique reflects on-the-record comments by some GOP senators, such as Senate Minority Whip John Thune, who told reporters the commission "could be weaponized politically” and drag into 2022.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) told a local TV station the commission would “open up an area where they think it will be helpful to the Democrats,” while Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette it aims to “advance the Democrats' partisan goals.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told CNN “the process has been hijacked for political purposes,” and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said in a statement it’s a “platform to score partisan political points.”

Contra

Some Republicans have tried to distance themselves from concerns centered around politics. “I don’t think about it that way,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), the chair of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, told Forbes. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said it’s “inevitable” the commission will drag on into 2022 but added “there are enough other arguments” against it “without necessarily… questioning the motives of the speaker or the Democratic Party.”

Key Background

The commission would be equally divided between Democrat and Republican appointees, and Republicans would have the ability to veto Democrats’ subpoenas – two major concessions made by Democrats to get Republicans on side. Still, only 35 of 211 House Republicans voted to pass the bill earlier this month despite impassioned pleas from Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.).

Big Number

10. That’s the number of Senate Republicans who would need to vote for the commission – along with all 50 Democrats – to overcome a filibuster. So far, only two, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah), have said they plan to do so, while around a dozen others remain undecided.

What To Watch For

Schumer filed cloture on the commission Tuesday evening, starting the clock towards an inevitable floor vote which is expected to come as soon as Thursday. If Republicans filibuster the commission, Democrats say it could jumpstart talks of reforming the filibuster – though Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) says it wouldn’t change his mind.