Seven Democratic Senators — including Ron Wyden of Oregon — are calling on the Ethics Committee to investigate the actions of Republican Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), related to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
Sen. Ron Wyden addressed constituents' questions at a town hall held at Tigard High School's Deb Fennell Auditorium in Tigard, Ore. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2020. Wyden spoke about topics ranging from health care to the conflicts with Iran.
Donald Orr / OPB
The senators’ complaint urges the committee to determine if Cruz and Hawley violated Senate ethics rules when they said they would object to the counting of state-certified electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania, respectively.
Such a challenge “amplified claims” of election fraud, argue the Democrats. And casting doubts on the integrity of the 2020 election sparked insurrectionist violence which included the Capitol invasion. A pro-Trump mob threatened lawmakers, including Vice President Mike Pence. Five people altogether died that day, including a capitol policeman.
The complaint adds that Hawley and Cruz lent legitimacy to the mob’s cause by proceeding with their objections after the deadly riot. And they may have been fundraising during the incident.
If the Senate Ethics Committee determines the two Senators violated rules, they could be censored or expelled. The complaint also says other lawmakers’ actions that day could be reviewed as well.
Besides Wyden, the other Democrats filing the complaint are Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
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