How Republicans are reacting to January 6 panel’s public hearing move

The January 6 committee’s public hearings have triggered a contrasting response from the Republican lawmakers. While the House of Representatives wishes to counter the investigation every step of the way, the Senate has largely shrugged it off.

John Thune, the Senate minority whip, said that he does not expect the Republican party to collectively give a response to the January 6 committee. House Republicans, on the other hand, have launched social media campaigns and their unofficial and private probes, Politico reported.

Also Read: Why fate of January 6 probe rests on midterm polls

The cross-chamber policy split is not rare. Such disagreements were also seen during various debt limit deals and President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill. But with former President Trump’s reputation on the line, more GOP lawmakers were expected to speak out.

House Republicans are pushing back on the hearings before they even begin, calling the committee partisan and arguing that Democrats are focused on the wrong priorities.

“They are scrambling to change the headlines, praying that the nation will focus on their partisan witch hunt instead of our pocketbooks,” House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York told reporters Wednesday, according to AP reports.

Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio said Democrats’ goal is “to end the Electoral College and their goal is to stop President Trump from running in 2024, plain and simple.”

Also Read: Capitol riots: What US Supreme Court has to say on the probe

Trump’s relation to Senate and House minority leaders

The reactions from both chambers seem to be in line with the relations Donald Trump shares with the Republican leaders. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, has maintained close ties with the former President after the January 6 riots. Trump also endorsed McCarthy in the recent California primary elections.

Mitch McConnell, on the other hand, has strained relations with Trump now. The two had a falling out in December last year. Trump called McConnell an “old crow” after the Senate minority leader pinned some blame for the Capitol riots on him.