Arizona Democrat stays mum on why she missed Capitol riot commission vote
‘She will be entering into the Congressional record that she would've voted yes,’ a spokesman for the Arizona senator says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Democratic senator Kyrsten Sinema was absent for Friday’s historic vote on a proposed Capitol riot investigation, and she still hasn’t said why.
After Republicans blocked a bill to establish a commission investigating the 6 January Capitol attack, Democrats directed most of their anger at the 35 GOP senators who voted against it. But there were also two Democrats who didn’t even show up for the vote: Senator Patty Murray, and Ms Sinema.
“She will be entering into the Congressional record that she would've voted yes,” the Arizona senator’s spokesperson, Hannah Hurley, told The Arizona Republic.
Although a majority of the Senate – 54 members, including six Republicans – voted for the bill, it failed to garner the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster. In her public statements, Ms Sinema had both supported the bill and opposed removing or reforming the filibuster.
“We implore our Senate Republican colleagues to work with us to find a path forward on a commission to examine the events of January 6th,” Ms Sinema had said in a 25 May statement with another centrist Democrat, Senator Joe Manchin.
‘Shame on the Republican party’: GOP senators block Capitol riot commission
Girlfriend of officer Brian Sicknick who was killed in Capitol riot blasts GOP for blocking commission
‘Politics is Trump’: Furious reaction as Republicans vote down Capitol riot commission
These six Senate Republicans defied Trump to back Capitol riot commission
McConnell reportedly asks GOP senators to vote against Capitol riot commission as ‘personal favor’
Mr Manchin opposes changing the filibuster as well. When CNN asked him if he’d be willing to use the “nuclear option” of filibuster reform, the senator replied, “No, I can’t take the fallout.”
Mr Manchin was present for the Capitol riot commission vote, and voted yes.
In addition to the two absent Democrats, nine Republican senators missed the vote as well. According to The Arizona Republic, Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama was seen on a plane leaving Washington the day before the vote.
Some on the left have wondered aloud how Ms Sinema explains her absence.
“Does anyone know why @kyrstensinema skipped the vote on the Jan 6th commission and bailed on her much-hyped push to bring in the magical 10 R votes to break a filibuster?” progressive activist Kai Newkirk tweeted, referring to the ten Republican votes that would have been needed to pass the bill.
Ms Sinema’s office has not yet responded to The Independent’s request for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments