Tipsheet

Grassley Pushes Back at McConnell's Effort to Block Mueller Bill

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made moves to block legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Even if the bipartisan effort is passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, McConnell said he would put an end to it and refuse to hold a vote on it.

"I'm the one who decides what we take to the floor," McConnell said. "That is my responsibility as the majority leader. And we'll not be having this on the floor of the Senate."

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the committee, said that's nice, but McConnell does not have the final say.

"Obviously, the majority leader's views are important to consider, but they do not govern what happens here in the Judiciary Committee," he said at a committee meeting Thursday.

He'll be moving ahead with the bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also supports the bill.

The disputed legislation would prevent President Trump from firing Mueller. 

Should it pass, Mueller would receive an "expedited judicial review" within 10 days of being fired to determine if it was for a "good cause." If it's not a good cause, the individual will be reinstated.

Trump, however, has pledged in the past not to dismiss Mueller.