A group of Democratic senators filed an ethical complaint against Sens Republicans. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz on Thursday, calling for an investigation to determine whether the pair coordinated with the organizers of the January 6 pro-Trump rally that preceded the deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol.
The Senate Ethics Committee “must also offer recommendations for strong disciplinary action, including even expulsion or censorship, if guaranteed by the facts discovered,” said the seven Democrats, led by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, DR.I., in a letter to the committee chair and vice chair.
Hawley, R-Mo. And Cruz, R-Texas, announced in the days before the riot that they would oppose the counting of votes in states that former President Donald Trump falsely claimed to have won during the January 6 electoral count, which “amplified allegations of electoral fraud. that resulted in threats of violence against state and local authorities across the country, “said the letter.
“The question that the Senate must answer is not whether the Sens. Hawley and Cruz had the right to the object for voters, but if senators did not ‘[p]ut loyalty to the highest moral principles and to the country above loyalty to people, party or government department ‘or engaged in’ improper conduct reflecting in the Senate ‘in connection with the January 6 violence, “the letter said.
He noted that both voted to reject the counting of electoral votes, even after the violence on Capitol Hill interrupted the counting process.
The letter noted that “the duo has publicized its plan to challenge voters to collect campaign contributions”, although it is “likely” that both knew that the underlying electoral fraud allegations were false. “These requests continued during and after the insurrection,” said the complaint.
Hawley and Cruz denied any wrongdoing and said they were trying to protect the integrity of the election. “Joe Biden and the Democrats talk about unity, but they are shamelessly trying to silence dissent. This latest effort is a flagrant abuse of the Senate ethics process and a flagrant attempt at party revenge, “Hawley said in a statement.
Cruz told reporters on Tuesday that he had done nothing to incite the violence. “Debating a question of constitutional law in the Senate plenary is the antithesis of trying to resolve conflicts through violent terrorist attacks,” he said.
The letter, which was also signed by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Mazie Hirono, D-Hi., Tim Kaine, D-Va., And Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, ask for a investigation into whether they had any involvement in the Trump rally before the riot, where the president asked his supporters to “fight” for the outcome of the election to “save” the country.
“The extent, if any, of communication or coordination between Sens. Hawley and Cruz and the organizers of the demonstration has yet to be investigated. Three members of the House of Representatives who coordinated with Sens. Hawley and Cruz object to voters, Reps. Andy Biggs , Paul Gosar and Mo Brooks were identified as alleged rally co-architects. Further investigation is needed to determine whether and to what extent Senators Cruz and Hawley were also aware of the activities of these groups or coordinated with their efforts, “says Letter.
The ethics committee, which is chaired by Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., Did not comment. The committee’s Republican vice president is Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma. Lankford initially agreed with Cruz’s challenge, but withdrew his support after the turmoil.
