The Point: A stormy summer for bipartisanship ahead

View this email in your browser   May 28, 2021  | by Lauren Dezenski and Sonnet Swire A stormy summer for bipartisanship ahead More than three months after Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell laid blame for the January 6 insurrection at former President Donald Trump's feet, Senate Republicans -- thanks to pressure from McConnell -- blocked a bill that would establish a commission to investigate the US Capitol attack.   For what it's worth, six Republican senators — Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Rob Portman, Lisa Murkowski and Ben Sasse — voted to advance the bill. But with four more Republicans needed to meet the 60-vote threshold, Senate Democrats were quick to point out that the number of Republicans who voted against the commission marked another sign of the GOP's shift toward Trump.    "Out of fear or fealty to Donald Trump, the Republican minority just prevented the American people from getting the full truth about January 6," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote.   Even West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who has sought cooperation with the GOP whenever possible, sounded defeated about the prospect of working with his Republican colleagues. "I'm very disappointed, very frustrated," Manchin said after the vote. "The politics is Trump, literally and figuratively."   Friday's proceedings, which had been delayed because of partisan debate on an unrelated bill aimed at increasing US competitiveness with China, signal a bumpy future for any bipartisan prospects on Capitol Hill.    As the Senate adjourned for the Memorial Day holiday, Schumer told Senate Democrats that the June work period "will be extremely challenging … the next few weeks will be hard and will test our resolve as a Congress and a conference."   There is a lot on the horizon over the next month, including: policing reform, the behemoth that is President Joe Biden's infrastructure package, the Paycheck Fairness Act and the sweeping voting rights package known as the For the People Act, or S 1.   The Point: Bipartisanship isn't dead -- but it's not exactly thriving right now. -- Lauren QUOTE OF THE DAY "As more Americans get vaccinated, the days grow brighter and brighter, but let me be clear: We're not done yet." -- President Biden emphasized that the US can't let up on Covid-19 vigilance now. He urged those not yet vaccinated to get their shots.  THE WEEK IN 14 HEADLINES This week, the nation marked one year since the death of George Floyd at the hands of a now-former Minneapolis police officer, and the racial reckoning that happened in its wake. Meanwhile, legal challenges swirled around former President Donald Trump.   Monday Negotiators optimistic for policing overhaul on eve of George Floyd anniversary Biden's DOJ appeals order to release full memo on why Trump wasn't charged with obstruction Tuesday Biden indicated he could support $1 trillion infrastructure plan, Republicans say, as GOP group prepares new offer Washington Post: Manhattan DA convenes grand jury to consider potential charges in Trump Organization probe Trump responds to insurrection lawsuit by claiming immunity while he was President US will make 'significant contributions' to rebuilding Gaza, Blinken says Wednesday 'Enough': Biden calls for action on guns in wake of San Jose shooting Biden tasks intelligence community to report on Covid origins in 90 days Changes to qualified immunity in policing deal face Senate GOP resistance Thursday McConnell doubles down to pressure Republicans, asking for 'a personal favor' to block January 6 commission Biden administration won't seek to rejoin Open Skies Treaty after 2020 exit Friday Senate Republicans block January 6 commission Polls find most Republicans say 2020 election was stolen and roughly one-quarter embrace QAnon conspiracies 1 in 10 defendants from US Capitol insurrection have military ties LAUREN'S GOOD READS Edward-Isaac Dovere's new book, "Battle for the Soul," is already on my summer reading list, so this write on "Andrew Yang, Political Kardashian" for The Atlantic is perfect to kick off my Memorial Day Weekend reading.   Harry Reid helped make UFOs mainstream! This is a fun Politico piece.   A solid, if a little depressing, read in The Washington Post: five days, 100 vaccine doses and a wildfire of conspiracy theories. Related in the NYT: Facebook takes on the superspreaders.   Go, Simone Biles!!! MUSICAL INTERLUDE It has been a week since Olivia Rodrigo's new album came out ... and "brutal" still absolutely slaps. TOP TWEETS OF THE DAY 1. Babydog has spoken! 2. A SCOTUS fun fact 3. A Michigan debate 4. Wolf Blitzer FTW 5. Love to watch the clouds roll by on Mars ONE BIG HISTORIC FIRST Vice President Kamala Harris became the first woman to give the commencement speech at the US Naval Academy when she addressed the 2021 graduating class on Friday.  You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

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