GOP senators downplay Jan. 6 panel’s importance

Senate Republicans are downplaying the impact of the House Jan. 6 hearings, which have shed new light on former President Trump’s actions to incite a crowd to storm the Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s victory.

Senate Republicans generally feel confident the damaging revelations won’t have much impact on the midterm elections, citing economic factors such as inflation as far more significant in moving voters.

But Republican senators are less sure what testimony before the committee, which has received heavy media coverage, means for Trump’s viability as a 2024 presidential candidate.