WASHINGTON, May 28 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Friday issued the following statement after Republican senators blocked legislation creating a commission to investigate the Jan. 6th insurrection and attempted coup at the Capitol:

“It is a painful day for American democracy that Senate Republicans blocked legislation creating a commission to investigate the Jan. 6th insurrection. Today in America, democracy is under assault and authoritarianism, conspiracy theories and political violence are on the rise. I applaud the six Republicans who voted for the commission, but I am saddened that so many others are too intimidated by Trump to do the right thing.”