Senate panel defies McConnell, plans vote on protecting Mueller

Despite opposition from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said Thursday that his committee will vote next Thursday on a bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired in the midst of the Russia investigation.

“The views of the majority leader are obviously important to consider, but they do not govern what happens here on the Judiciary Committee,” said Grassley, R-Iowa.

McConnell said Tuesday on Fox News that he would not allow a Senate floor vote on the bipartisan bill, even if the committee approves it.