Murkowski to back Jan. 6 commission bill

Sen. Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiNRSC chair presses Trump to support incumbents in 2022 Biden signs bill to help Alaska cruise industry This week: Senate set for chaotic sprint before break MORE (R-Alaska) on Tuesday became the second Senate Republican to say she will support a House-passed bill to establish a bipartisan commission on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, which could come to the floor for a vote this week.

“I’m going to support it,” Murkowski told reporters when asked about whether she will vote for the bill that passed with 35 Republican votes in the House last week.

Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRomney first GOP senator to say he would vote for Jan. 6 commission bill This week: Senate set for chaotic sprint before break Democrats worry Jan. 6 probe could divert their agenda MORE (R-Utah) was the first Republican to announce his support for the bill on Monday.  

A third Republican centrist, Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsRomney first GOP senator to say he would vote for Jan. 6 commission bill The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Uber – Hopes dim for bipartisan compromise on Biden agenda This week: Senate set for chaotic sprint before break MORE (R-Maine), says she supports setting up a bipartisan commission but is working to make changes to address what she calls “flaws” in the House bill.

“I see a need for a commission and am working to correct flaws in the House bill. I strongly support a commission,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerPelosi presses for Senate action on Jan. 6 commission: ‘No time to waste’ Schumer trends after joining street performance of ‘New York, New York’ Biden adviser says reducing red meat isn’t sole climate change solution MORE (D-N.Y.) says he hopes to vote on the Jan. 6 legislation this week even though senators are now in the midst of a contentious debate over how to proceed on a China competitiveness bill that is a Schumer priority and that he hoped to have the Senate pass before the Memorial Day recess.

“We hope to vote this week,” Schumer said of the Jan. 6 commission bill on Tuesday.

Schumer has pledged several times over the past week to force Republicans to vote on it.

The measure needs 60 votes — or the support of at least 10 Republicans — to overcome an expected filibuster.

“The formation of the commission is more important now than it’s ever been. In the months since Jan. 6, Washington Republicans have tried to rewrite history and recast the attack of Jan. 6 as little more than peaceful protests that got out of hand,” the Democratic leader said on the floor Monday.

Sen. Bill CassidyBill CassidyRomney first GOP senator to say he would vote for Jan. 6 commission bill This week: Senate set for chaotic sprint before break Why Republican politicians are sticking with Trump MORE (R-La.) is another Republican who has said he is inclined to support the establishment of a bipartisan commission to investigate the storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob angry over President TrumpDonald TrumpMcGahn to testify next week before closed-door House panel over longtime subpoena fight Biden DOJ to appeal court order to release Trump obstruction memo NRSC chair presses Trump to support incumbents in 2022 MORE’s loss in the 2020 election.

Cassidy said Tuesday he agrees with Collins that changes should be made to the House bill.

“I know it’s going to take a little bit of evolution, so I’d like to see what that evolution looks like,” he said. “I think we could address concerns and make it a lot easier for folks to support it.”

But even if Collins and Cassidy join Murkowski and Romney in voting to proceed to the bill, Schumer still needs to find six more GOP votes.  

Other key Republicans, such as Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeySasse rebuked by Nebraska Republican Party over impeachment vote Philly GOP commissioner on censures: ‘I would suggest they censure Republican elected officials who are lying’ Toomey censured by several Pennsylvania county GOP committees over impeachment vote MORE (R-Pa.), who voted to convict Trump on an article of impeachment in Feb., are undecided about whether to support the House bill to set up a bipartisan commission.

Sen. Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrThis week: Senate set for chaotic sprint before break The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Chris Cuomo says advising brother was a ‘mistake’ Rep. Malinowski traded as much as M in medical, tech stocks with stake in COVID-19 response MORE (R-N.C.), another Republican who voted to convict Trump, has said he opposes the House bill. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellNRSC chair presses Trump to support incumbents in 2022 Overnight Defense: Austin, Bidens thank National Guard as Capitol mission ends | CBO estimates nuclear arsenal to cost 4B over 10 years | Senate Armed Services chairman backs change in prosecuting military sexual assault Pelosi presses for Senate action on Jan. 6 commission: ‘No time to waste’ MORE (R-Ky.) called the House bill a “slanted and unbalanced position” last week, setting the course for most Republicans in his conference.