[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 24 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               JANUARY 6

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, on an entirely different matter, 
normally I don't make a point of remarking upon actions and statements 
of the Republican National Committee, which by now has completely 
fallen under the control of former President Donald Trump and his inner 
circle, but last week, they crossed a line, issuing a statement that 
censured two Republicans who stood up to the Big Lie, while also 
describing the insurrection of January 6 as ``legitimate political 
discourse.'' Their statement didn't even make mention of the violence 
that day.
  There is no debate to be had here. January 6 was an armed 
insurrection. It was an attempt to reverse through violent means the 
outcome of a free and fair election, and it was fundamentally rooted in 
Donald Trump's Big Lie that the election of 2020 was illegitimate, 
which now the RNC seems to be giving its blessing officially.
  For the national committee of one of America's two major political 
parties to officially sign on to the Big Lie--and more than that, to 
excuse the attack itself by attributing even a shred of legitimacy to 
it--is chilling and plainly dangerous. It puts us on a road where our 
democracy is at risk.
  It is a sad commentary on how far the political arm of the GOP has 
gone that the RNC will go out of its way to punish its own Members who 
spoke out against the former President's lies, while defending the 
rioters who tried to undo an election with mob rule. Theirs will be 
nothing less than everlasting shame.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                   RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY LEADER

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader is 
recognized.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page S530, February 7, 2022, third column, the following 
appears: Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING 
PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Mr. McCONNELL. 
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. 
Without objection, it is so ordered. RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY 
LEADER The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader is 
recognized.


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