Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), along with Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) attempted to move on a bill that would protect special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian collusion, but their effort failed to get unanimous consent.
For the vote to proceed, Flake had to have the blessing of all 100 senators. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) refused to give his. The bill would “fundamentally (undermine) the principle of separation of powers" and create a "de facto fourth branch of government," he said.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it's time to focus on more pressing items.
"It’s a solution in search of a problem," McConnell said. "The president is not going to fire Robert Mueller. We have a lot of things to do to finish up this year without taking votes on things that are completely irrelevant to outcomes."
The bill had previously passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, but this is now the second time it has been blocked from a floor vote.
President Trump has not relented on his opinion that the Mueller investigation is a "witch hunt," but he told media that he has no plans to fire him.
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