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Six Republicans So Far Vote Yes On Jan 6 Commission, Short of 10 Needed; Right Now: Senate Voting on January 6 Commission; President Biden Discusses Pandemic Ahead of Holiday Weekend; Senator Schumer Speaks After Jan 6 Commission Vote Fails; Senate Republicans Kill January 6th Commission. Aired 12p-12:30p ET

Aired May 28, 2021 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[12:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN KING, CNN HOST: Hello, everybody and welcome Inside Politics. I'm John King in Washington. This is big breaking news Friday as we head into the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the President of the United States about to speak in Northern Virginia.

The do's and don'ts, safety tips, if you will, and compliments on the vaccine rollout as we head into this holiday weekend. To the right of your screen that is the floor of the United States Senate. A key vote underway right now.

A procedural vote will the United States Senate proceed to debate whether we should have an independent bipartisan commission to investigate the Capitol insurrection? We expect the answer to be no but this key procedural vote is underway.

Right now it should wrap up any moment from now. Democrats need 10 Republicans to break ranks to keep the idea of this commission alive. Let's get straight up to Capitol Hill and our Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju.

Manu, they cut a deal to move up this vote we weren't certain when it would play out today, as it plays out right now explain the significance of the vote that should be concluded in just a matter of moments.

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The significance here is that if that - 60 votes to move ahead, then there's a possibility that an outside commission could be created to investigate the January 6th attack.

If there are not 10 Republicans who break ranks, this bill will fall apart. It'll be essentially be over and then Democrats may decide to investigate things on their own hands and not be - have this outside commission of bipartisan investigation move forward.

And at the moment, there are not those 10 Republican votes. There are six Republicans who have broken ranks so six Republicans are - five of them actually voted to convict Donald Trump at his impeachment trial. Senator Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, Bill Cassidy and Ben Sasse those are the five who voted to convict Donald Trump for inciting the January 6th insurrection.

One of them, Rob Portman of Ohio also voted to move ahead. He did not vote for conviction. One Republican who did vote to convict Richard Burr has already indicated that he will not vote to advance this. So the question ultimately can there be 10? And they're just really no sign that that is going to happen here.

The Republican argument, the leadership has said that their concern is that this could become a political investigation. It could undercut their messaging going forward. The Democrats say this is a bipartisan commission that was cut by a Republican and a Democrat in the House, a deal that was cut, five members of each side will be selected here. And the report will be due by the end of the year.

But nevertheless, Republicans want this over with and expect them to succeed in just a matter of minutes here, John.

KING: Just a matter of minutes, we'll come back to you Manu Raju as soon as we get the decisive tally in that vote. Let's go now to Alexandria, Virginia, the President of the United States.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Before I began, I like to say a quick word about an old friend of mine, quick word about Senator John Warner. I had the privilege of serving with John for three decades in the United States Senate. And I can say without hesitation, he was a man of conscience, and a man of honor.

And in his life full of honors and most enduring was his service to the people of Virginia. And we're going to miss him dearly. And, you know, John took chances. I was stunned, pleased and stunned. When, in the middle of my primary, John endorsed me, for President of the United States.

It was how things sort of used to be back in the old days in the United States Senate when I first got there, people at - didn't happen that all at from people across the aisle to work with one another. John was a man of great integrity and he's missed can be missed in Virginia was just fortunate to have as long as they did.

Jacob, I want to thank you for sharing your story. And I want to - you pointed out that my wife works for the Governor. I wonder she had to pay - to me when - but all can you decide I'm very proud of the fact that Joe has - teaching is not what Jill does. Teaching is who she is? And she's done in her whole adult life. And she's still doing it.

I know some people said when you're first lady, are you going to continue to teach? She said yes, but I don't think she bargained for having to teach online initially.

[12:05:00]

BIDEN: Students - I watched her she spent more time four hours a day for about a month learning how to teach online. So don't feel bad about y'all having her. I watch the teacher is happy too. Anyway, and I just want to say that, you know, we're in a position now, Governor Northam, I want to thank you for your welcome to the Commonwealth.

And I want to thank you for all you're doing to help win the fight against COVID. You're one of the best Governors in the country and taking this on. You did it from the beginning.

(APPLAUSE)

BIDEN: And Mayor Wilson thanks for the passport into the city. I promise I'll leave in time. But thank you. Congressman Connolly and - they are both members of Congress but Congressman Connolly got to the Congress with a real impediment.

He worked for me for years before that - my staff, and everything has gone downhill since you left here thank you. And I want to thank the speaker as well. And the Senate Majority Leader, as well as thank all of you working so hard for the people here in Northern Virginia.

Four months after I took office, we're further along in his fight than anyone thought possible. Let's remember where we were 129 days ago? When I took office, we are averaging 184,000 cases per day nationwide. Here in Virginia, the Governor point out of schools were closed. Main Street had gone quiet here in cities all across America.

Virginia Tech didn't play in a bowl game this winter, first time in 28 years. And so many joys of life large and small had been halted by a long, dark winter. And today, we've gone from 184 cases per day nationwide, to fewer than 22 cases total 20,000 cases per day.

Deaths have dropped by over 85 percent tens of thousands of moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas, brothers, sisters, neighbors friends are still with us today who would otherwise have been lost. This has been true here in Virginia, particularly from 43,000 cases the week before I took office to fewer than 2800 past week and 93 percent decline.

We've been able to do it for three reasons. First, we planned and executed a vaccination effort at a scale and speed never before seen here or anywhere in the world. Here in Virginia that meant $247 million in federal funding for community vaccinations sites, over 360 federally funded National Guard members supporting the state's COVID- 19 response.

Getting doses to community health care centers 1000 pharmacies all across Virginia and creating a mass vaccination - enough of initially run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Navy in partnership with Virginia.

Second reason we succeeded is Governor's like Governor Northam have been instrumental partners, leaders in red states and blue states working with businesses, faith leaders, community groups to get it done at a local level.

And thirdly, most crucially, the American people, more than 165 million Americans so far, have done their patriotic duty. 165 million and gotten at least one shot. Americans of every party, every race creed, have come together rolled up their sleeves literally and done their part. Now 51 percent of American adults have been fully vaccinated, 75 percent of seniors fully vaccinated, leaving nobody behind Black, White and Hispanic across the world or across the board. They've been getting the vaccinations.

In Virginia 55 percent as the Governor said of all adults are vaccinated. I believe that's the right number growth. And look at what that means. We aren't just saving lives. We're getting our lives back. Stores and restaurants up and down Main Street are hanging open signs on their front doors.

And here the rock climbing gym are greeted by another and we're greeting one another with smiles with our masks off and I'm about to do this 60 foot wall but - I tell you what? I work every morning but I said I have trouble hold those grips.

[12:10:00]

BIDEN: And the young man said to me he said the way to work your hands is to get a kettle bell, a light one and just put it under your fingers and work it that way. Tonight I'm trying. But folks look and Norfolk and Fredericksburg fans are, are heading back to the minor league ballparks, pools and parks are opening up across the state.

Families are heading down to spend Memorial Day weekend to Virginia Beach and all over the country. We've gone from pain and stagnation of a long dark winter to an economy on the move growing faster than it has in nearly 40 years.

From anemic job creation in the months before I took office to the fastest job creation in the first three months of any administration in American history and rising wages as more Americans get vaccinated, the days go brighter and brighter. But let me be clear, we're not done yet.

We have to reach those who are not vaccinated and make it as easy as possible for them to get protected. I set an ambitious goal of getting 70 percent of adult Americans, at least one shot by July the fourth, today, just over a month to go we're at 62 percent. 10 states have already reached the 70 percent milestone.

Virginia 66 and moving closer every day and continuing on all counting on just all the help and continuing this process is really I think you're going to get the job done here in Virginia pretty quickly go to 70 percent and keep spreading through the finish line is what we're all about.

If we succeed, we can celebrate our independence from the virus together on the Fourth of July as we celebrate our independence as a nation, and the future is only going to get brighter, because there will be no doubt what America can achieve when we do it together.

I know when I ran for office; I said I wanted to do three things, one of which was to unite the country. It's difficult. But this is the first real evidence that we're able to do it, the American people are more ready to come together I believe, then the Congress and elected officials are, but we're getting there.

If you aren't vaccinated yet, it's never been easier. If convenience is the issue, there are 80,000 locations, visit vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829, and you'll find the site's nearest she'll pop up immediately. And in almost all cases, you don't need an appointment.

If transportation is an issue, I want to thank Lyft and Uber, they've come forward and they've offered free rides to and from vaccination sites through July 4th. So anybody who says they can't get there call Lyft or Uber, they're doing the patriotic thing. They'll come and pick you up, take you to the vaccination center, get you wait for you and take you back to your home or wherever you emerge from.

And you know it cost is an issue, don't let dumping concern. The vaccine is 100 percent free. And if time is an issue, there are 10,000 sites offering vaccinations without an appointment. 1000 pharmacies in Virginia alone, and the vast majority offered no appointment with no appointment required.

We made extraordinary progress. Everyone should be proud of what we've accomplished, and we did it together. But we still have five weeks left to hit our goal. You know, we I know we can do it. Just look what we've done so far. There's not a single thing.

I've been saying this a long time. And I think a lot of the press or smartest they will think I'd be naive. There's nothing we cannot accomplish if we do it together. I really believe that. Nothing, nothing, nothing we've ever set our mind to as Americans. And we failed that we've done it together.

In Virginia, you know you're doing your part. So you know, I remember always hear in the last administration, I'd hear when they talk about vaccines and that we're going to - we're going to make really great progress. He said there's light at the end of the tunnel.

I was reminded of my generation in the 60s; there was a very raunchy comedian who said, yes, there's light. We're talking about the Vietnam War together.

KING: We're going to leave the President's event in Northern Virginia to take you back up to Capitol Hill, where the United States Senate has just wrapped up a vote 54 to 35 not all Senators present but 54/35 that means the Democrats fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation that would create a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection.

[12:15:00]

KING: Let's get straight up to our Chief Correspondent Manu Raju. Manu, some Senators clearly gone for the holiday weekend but Democrats falling short of this goal, which means this commission, which we - if it advanced on this vote would be on life support. Is it now dead, done?

RAJU: Yes, it seems that way. I mean, it's sometimes people point to the 9/11 Commission, as something that took about a year to put together after much negotiation. In this case, situation is different, the politics are much different.

And the expectation here is different that instead, Democrats may take matters in their own hands and tried to investigate things in a Democratic led investigation in the House. This would have been much different had this bill gone forward.

It would have been an outside bipartisan commission, five commissioners selected from both parties, joint subpoena power they would have to issue a report by the end of the year, but Republicans simply just did not want to go this route. They did not.

Some are frankly concerned about having an outside commission like this where it would go? What it would lead to? Another said that they believe the investigations that have ongoing already are good enough that are much narrower. They're looking at what happened on that day? Why the Capitol was so unprepared?

Not all the influencing factors, not Donald Trump's role, not the role of some Republicans, which is what this outside commission would undoubtedly look at the influencing factors behind this attack. But this vote significant 54/35 a bipartisan majority did vote to open debate, but they needed 60 votes to move ahead.

And just from what our tally right now an unofficial tally, just six Republicans voted to move ahead. They need to tend to move forward. Some Democrats and Republicans were absent from this vote, knowing that this was going to fail, almost as we expected for days here, but they did need 10. They did a five Republicans who voted to convict Donald Trump and his impeachment trial vote yes.

One of them who did not vote to convict Donald Trump also voted yes, that was Rob Portman. But they needed the 10 they didn't get it here and now Democrats have to decide what to do next? As they want to pursue this investigation and what happened on January 6th, in the months ahead here, John?

KING: What to do next? Manu, please stay with us. I want to bring the conversation in the room with me in studio is Rachel Bade. She's a Co- Author of "The Political Playbook" and Catherine Lucey, White House Reporter for "The Wall Street Journal".

Rachel, let me start with you. To Manu's point, this bipartisan commission to investigate what happened an attack on America's democracy and attack on the Capitol building an attack on a day when they were certifying the Electoral College results an investigation that should not become partisan, but somehow has even though they cut a bipartisan deal.

Senator Bill Cassidy, one of the Republican Senators who voted yes, there are not enough Republican senators voting yes, but one of them. He said the investigations will happen with or without Republicans to ensure the investigations are fair, impartial and focused on the facts. Republicans need to be involved. That was what he hoped to convince his colleagues. But the Leader Mitch McConnell has made the decision Donald Trump doesn't want this. We need a happy Trump to win in 2022. Let's make this go away.

RACHAEL BADE, POLITICO PLAYBOOK CO-AUTHOR: Yes, I mean, like, that's a logical argument. But then there's the political flip side, which is that, you know, Republicans know, it's much harder to ignore a subpoena for my bipartisan commission, when you're being summoned, you know, from an independent investigation that has nothing to do with politics, that's going to be harder for someone like Kevin McCarthy to ignore that.

It's going to be harder to smear the results, if you don't like what the finding is? You know, and this would be a commission that went deep inside the White House, in detail, potentially what Trump was doing, and was not doing on January 6th, when violence was happening at the Capitol?

So you know, from a very cynical point of view, which is where Democrats are coming from, they do not want this commission to be bipartisan, because it's easier to attack an investigation that is led by Democrats. You already hear Kevin McCarthy calling this the "Pelosi Commission" even though one of his allies was the one who struck this deal.

And so yes, they're worried about what Donald Trump will say about this. They want to focus on Biden and his agenda. But then also, they want to attack these findings. And this enables them to do that.

KING: And so now that Democrats go forward with a select committee or some other investigative committees, there are other committees looking at it. But the Republicans keep saying there are committees looking at this and one of the things that Democrats say so yes, but they're not going to call up Donald Trump.

They're not going to ask the Chief of Staff of the White House to come up and say, what was the president doing it the key moments of all this? They're not going to get the Trump Pentagon officials why the delay in the National Guard? They're not going to get Leader Kevin McCarthy as Rachel just pointed out.

So that's the challenge. Now, can Democrats come up with something and put it on a timeline that gets you findings quickly, but?

CATHERINE LUCEY, WHITE HOUSE REPORTER, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: That's right I mean, we heard from Manu like the scale and scope of what--

KING: I'm sorry, Catherine. One second, let's just listen to the Democratic Leader, the Majority Leader Chuck Schumer talking about this vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): Good news Republicans worked with Democrats on comprehensive legislation to strengthen our commitment to scientific research, which will pass the Senate when Senate resumed session.

The bad news, the Republican Minority just mounted a partisan filibuster against an independent commission to report on January 6th, both efforts should have moved forward in solidly by bipartisan way, but out of fear or fealty to Donald Trump.

[12:20:00]

SCHUMER: The Republican Minority just prevented the American people from getting the full truth about January 6th. The Republican Minority just prevented the Senate from even debating the bill. No opportunity for amendments, no opportunity for debate.

There was an attempt by the Republican Minority to shrink this vote into the dark of night. But because of today's Senate Time Agreement, it was done in broad daylight. The American people will see how each Republican Senator voted?

Now this should have been simple. The Commission was bipartisan, independent straight down the middle House Democrats accepted every change that House leadership requested. Speaker Pelosi and I support it and still do support the changes Senator Collins proposed.

And we told that to other Senators, Senate Republicans for months publicly supported the idea of a commission. But now all of a sudden, the Senate Minority and the Senate Minority Leader waged the partisan filibuster against the bill.

This vote has made it official. Donald Trump's big lie has now fully enveloped the Republican Party. Trump's big lie is now the defining principle of was once the party of Lincoln. House Republicans - Congresswoman Cheney for the crime of telling the truth that Joe Biden is President.

Republican state legislature seizing on the big lie is conducting the greatest assault on voting rights since the beginning of Jim Crow. Republicans in both chambers are trying to rewrite history and claim that January 6th was just a peaceful protest that got a little out of hand.

And now this a partisan blockade of a simple, independent, bipartisan commission. I've heard all the excuses why Republicans are opposing this bill. It's too early. It goes on too long. It's not needed. Well almost all of these excuses are meritless and were invented in the past two weeks.

We all know what's going on here. Senate Republicans chose to defend the big lie, because they believe anything that might upset Donald Trump could hurt them politically. We've all lived through the horrors of January 6th. I was no further than 30 feet from those white supremacist hooligans.

Do my Republican colleagues remember that day? Do my Republican colleagues remember the savage mob calling for the execution of Mike Pence, the makeshift gallows, outside the Capitol, men with bulletproof vests and zip ties breaking into the Senate gallery and rifling through your desks.

Police officers crushed between doorways, shame on the Republican Party for trying to sweep the horrors of that day under the rug because they're afraid of Donald Trump. Our democracy has long endured because leaders have good faith even if they disagreed even at political cost shared a fidelity to the truth.

Not so today. I hope this is not the beginning of an effort by Senate Republicans to prevent this chamber from debating reasonable common sense legislation. We will soon see after the state work period I will bring forward legislation that would help provide equal pay for women. Will our Republican colleagues let the Senate debate the bill? Or will they engage in another partisan filibuster of urgent legislation? We will soon see.

Now, Madam President got a lot of pages here a lot of business to conduct. I asked unanimous consent the Senate proceeds to executive session to consider the following nominations Calendar 132--

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: You've been listening to the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the floor reacting to the Republican vote - lack of enough Republican votes to advance the January 6th Commission to investigate the insurrection the attack on the Capitol.

Senator Schumer saying it just because of fear or fealty to Donald Trump that Republicans wants to in his words; sweep the horrors of that day under the rug. Let's go back up to Capitol Hill and our Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju.

Manu, Schumer making that case and Republicans would say oh, it's just a Democrat talking but Lisa Murkowski, one of the Republican Senators who did vote to advance this, pretty much agreed with it the other day, not in the same language but saying that she was disappointed profoundly that her Republican colleagues in the interest of politics, the 2022 midterms in the interest of power, wanted this commission to go away.

RAJU: Yes, and that's actually been what other Republicans have said to who supported this commission going forward? Mitt Romney, who did vote yes just now he of course voted to convict Donald Trump twice at his two impeachment trials.

[12:25:00]

RAJU: He told me earlier this week that he is concerned that not moving ahead with a commission could actually lead to the perception among the public that Republicans don't want the truth. That was his concern, his view of what the public could perceive all of this.

And another Republican Senator who did vote yes, just now, Bill Cassidy, he made the argument that why not have an outside commission because otherwise there's just going to be a democratic led investigation, this issue is not going to go away. So we can just have an outside commission, it could be unassailable politically, and then we can find the facts given the horrific attack that came on this Capitol and do it in a non partisan and a bipartisan way.

But Republicans simply just did not believe that this commission would be good news in any way, particularly since it would generate a ton of headlines, a lot of questions about what we would find, and Mitch McConnell believes that they can paint a democratic led investigation in the House in a more negative light rather than a - bipartisan investigation and outside commission.

And you can say this is raw politics, because in a lot of ways it is. It is about the end of the day, winning back the control of the House and Senate. And that argument really took hold within the House and Senate Republican Conference, particularly in the Senate side in the last several days.

Now the Republicans who voted to convict - voted just now to open debate. There were six of them just now, John that includes Senator - I'm pulling it up right here, John. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Ben Sasse, Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, five of those six voted to convict Donald Trump, everyone except for Rob Portman.

They voted to convict him for inciting the January 6th insurrection. Rob Portman did not believe it told me yesterday he did support moving forward some investigation. If they could make some changes on the floor, they're never going to be able to make some changes, because this was defeated.

But you know, there were some people who were absent on both sides of the aisle. Interesting one person who skipped this vote was Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, he voted to convict Trump as well in the second impeachment trial. And I've been asking him for the last several days how you would - how you would vote?

He said he was undecided, undecided. And when it came time to vote, he didn't show up. So there have been perhaps maybe there could have been seven. But one thing was certain there was not going to be 10, which was the magic number here to break a filibuster. They were not going to get that given the concerns of the Republican leadership.

And as a result, John, this is essentially over negotiations. They may happen but it's done expected an investigation in the House, most likely to take shape as they try to press ahead here but not in a bipartisan way an outside commission, but a democratic one in the House, John.

KING: All right. It'd be nice to find out in the days ahead if any of those who missed the vote, perhaps some of them have a legitimate excuse if they just started their holiday weekend early. That's cowardice, whether you're going to vote yes on or no, you should be on the record on this important issue? Manu Raju, I appreciate the live reporting on the Hill. I interrupted you when we went to the floor for the vote Catherine Lucy and we were listening to the President of the United States beforehand talk about how he is convinced that if you put your mind to it, and put your shoulder to it, that anything can happen, including bipartisanship in Washington, this has to be proved to the President of the United States.

Rethink that, sir. Rethink that, sir. This is an attack on the United States government an attack on an iconic building of the United States government on a critical day in our history. The day they certify the Electoral College results and Republicans won't have a bipartisan commission.

And Senator Schumer, you can fact check this. It's not a Democrat. He's right. The Democrats gave ground in the House to negotiate this. They gave the Republicans what they asked for. And in the Senate, they told the Republicans you vote to advance this bill; we will give you additional changes. Tell us what you want. We will give it.

The Democrats were willing to compromise again, the Republicans just don't want to know. They don't want a committee to find out what Trump was doing? What he told Kevin McCarthy? Who were those people? What were their connections? They just don't want to know.

LUCEY: You're right, John. This was a stark split screen where you had the president espousing optimism of bipartisanship, the country's path forward and then as a vote unfolding on the other side of the screen. And I think you it's important to step back a little bit and think about the fact those other dark moments in U.S. history.

There have been some bipartisan efforts to come together after 9/11, for example, it was a bipartisan, independent commission. So we are in a very different moment now. And one of the things we've seen in Joe Biden's early presidency is him sort of struggling with the idea that bipartisanship is harder to do right now.

He really does continue to talk about wanting to do it. We see that with his infrastructure negotiations. He wants to work with Republicans. But the message from Republicans today is pretty clear. They are very much united behind Former President Trump.

They are going to make a lot of these things very difficult. And I don't - it remains unclear if they can really come together on something like infrastructure and what this means for the rest of his agenda going forward.

KING: And it is important in the moment in the moment because it tells you a lot about today's Republican Party because Senator Schumer again, I know he's a Democrats so Republicans out there roll their eyes and say he's just a Democrat.

But these Republicans are showing fealty to Trump. Leader McConnell reprimanded said what the President did on January 6th was reprehensible in the immediate aftermath. Then he did the math that he saw the support for the president out there - their Former President out there in the Republican Party. [12:30:00]