Senior Democrat says Hawley, Cruz should step down from Judiciary

Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyCongress unveils .3 trillion government spending and virus relief package Bottom line Veterans healthcare fight snagging government funding deal MORE (D-Vt.), the incoming Senate oresident pro tempore, says that Sens. Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyHallmark PAC asks Hawley, Marshall to return employee donations House Democrats unveil resolution to censure Rep. Mo Brooks over Capitol riots Commerce Bank joins companies halting support for officials who opposed Biden transition MORE (R-Mo.) and Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzBP employee PAC pauses contributions for 6 months House Democrats unveil resolution to censure Rep. Mo Brooks over Capitol riots What’s the future of the Republican Party now? MORE (R-Texas) should step down from the Senate Judiciary Committee while federal officials investigate the storming of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob last week.

“Both of them wanted to subvert the will of the people, wanted to tell the whole world and the United States that we did not have an honest election. I can’t imagine any senator doing that and then serving on Judiciary,” Leahy said.

Leahy is a former chairman of the Judiciary panel and is the Democrat who currently has served the longest time on the panel.

The senior Democrat made his comment after Sen. Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehouseThis week: Democrats barrel toward Trump impeachment after Capitol attack OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA finalizes ‘secret science’ rule, limiting use of public health research | Trump administration finalizes rollback of migratory bird protections | Kerry raises hopes for focus on climate security at NSC EPA finalizes ‘secret science’ rule, limiting use of public health research MORE (D-R.I.) called for both GOP senators to be taken off the panel, citing potential conflicts of interest as the Department of Justice investigates the causes of riots on Capitol Hill last week that resulted in the death of a police officer.

Whitehouse said on Monday that a security review of last week’s events would have to be investigated and that the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Rules Committees would be involved in the investigation.

“Because Congress has protections from the Department of Justice under separation of powers, specifically the Speech and Debate Clause, significant investigation will need to be done in the Senate,” Whitehouse said in a statement.

“Because of the massive potential conflict of interest, Sens. Cruz, Hawley and [former Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron] Johnson [R-Wis.] (at least) need to be off all relevant committees reviewing this matter until the investigations of their role is complete,” Whitehouse said.

Democrats will control the committee once Joe BidenJoe BidenCapitol Police confirm investigation into some officers’ behavior during riot GOP lawmakers told Trump takes some responsibility for Capitol riot Director of Army Staff disputes Capitol Police chief account of National Guard…