Bill to Protect Special Counsel Mueller Clears Senate Panel Despite Cornyn, Cruz Opposition

WASHINGTON — Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz were among Republicans who opposed a move Thursday to protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired. The bill cleared the Judiciary Committee 14-7, with four Republicans siding with Democrats who want to block President Donald Trump from derailing the investigation.The Texans’ votes weren’t a surprise. Cornyn has repeatedly said that such legislation isn’t necessary because he doesn’t believe Trump would fire Mueller, calling such a move a "bad mistake" that could cause “all sorts of unintended consequences."Cruz expressed concerns about an overreaching and potentially partisan special counsel investigation. The measure has little chance of becoming law.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he won't bring it to a floor vote. The four Republicans who voted for the bill were the committee’s chairman, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Jeff Flake of Arizona.Some lawmakers began discussing the need for legislation protecting Mueller earlier this month after an FBI raid on the home and office of Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen. The president tweeted his outrage after the raid, causing lawmakers from both parties to warn against the firing of the special counsel.  Continue reading...