Senate Television
In this image from a video, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., speaks as the Senate reconvenes to debate the objection to confirm the Electoral College Vote from Arizona, after protesters stormed into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Senate Television via AP)
A Republican colleague in the U.S. Senate says Hawley’s objection to certifying the electoral college votes was a “stunt.”
After U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley stoked baseless concerns about the presidential election results, a top donor to his campaign and former mentor both expressed regret for their support of the Republican senator from Missouri and blamed him for the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
It is certain to be a session like no other.
Questions surrounding the state budget, funding for roads and bridges, education, local control and a myriad of other issues are on the agenda.
But the fate of each could ultimately be decided by COVID-19.
The virus already proved it can upend legislative proceedings in November, when positive cases among senators caused a special session to be postponed for weeks.
Now, with 197 lawmakers, hundreds of staff and a cadre of lobbyists, reporters and advocates descending on the statehouse for the next five months, legislative leadership understands the path forward is uncertain.