Have you no decency left, Republican Senator?
Republicans have had every opportunity to stand up and be counted as useful members of society. So far, they have failed miserably. They had an opportunity to show the level of humanity they possess, if any, when they met with the mother of Brian Sicknick, who died as a result of the January 6 insurrection. Gladys Sicknick was joined by Brian’s long-time girlfriend and another officer who was injured that day, Michael Fanone. Hopefully, they can appeal to any shred of human decency that Republicans might have left.
Both Politico and Huffington Post reported that due to the reluctance of Republicans to pass the 1/6 Commission bill, Ms. Sicknick and Ms. Garza (Officer Sicknick’s girlfriend) requested to meet with every Republican Senator to discuss the importance of establishing a non-partisan group to investigate the insurrection. Michael Fanone, who suffered a heart attack and concussion trying to defend the Capitol, previously requested an audience with Kevin McCarthy and instead joined Sicknick and Garza in meetings with Republican Senators. Sicknick told Politico: “Putting politics aside, wouldn’t they want to know the truth of what happened on January 6?” She further commented that if they are not interested in getting to the truth, “they do not deserve to have the jobs they were elected to do.” It does not get clearer than that, and many agree with her sentiment. This is part and parcel of their jobs. You would think they would be interested, but they seem more concerned with protecting a failed former president.
Sicknick sent a prepared statement to Politico: “I suggest that all Congressmen and Senators who are against the Bill visit my son’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery and, while there, think about what their hurtful decisions will do to those officers who will be there for them going forward.” If Republicans fail to take the opportunity to get to the bottom of this attack, it is a slap in the face to every officer who risked his or her life that day to protect them—the very people who now act like they do not give a damn. Politico reported that the Republican Senators who agreed to meet with the group were Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, Pat Toomey, Susan Collins, Roger Marshall, John Barrasso, Bill Cassidy, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Mike Crapo, and Mike Lee. We know two of those will never vote in favor of the investigation, but if at least 10 of the rest them do, the filibuster will have no impact on a final vote.
Republicans had better think long and hard about where they stand on this issue. They were given the opportunity to do something for the American people by voting for President Biden’s stimulus, but they declined, even though some of them are now bragging about it in their home states. Hopefully, their constituents are not so tuned out that they know they did absolutely nothing to pass that bill. Failing to pass a bipartisan investigation into the January 6 insurrection may well the final nail in their coffins.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years