Senate Republicans once again blocked a bipartisan effort to vote on legislation that would protect special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
On Wednesday, Sens. Jeff Flake, Chris Coons and Cory Booker tried to force a full floor vote on the bill through unanimous consent. But Republican Sen. Mike Lee objected to their request, which blocked the vote from happening.
Lee said the bill was unconstitutional and that it would create a "de facto fourth branch of government" that would undermine "the principles of the separation of powers."
The Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act would make it more difficult for the White House to fire Mueller and allow him to appeal any decision to do so.
Flake says he'll try again to force a floor vote on the bill and will oppose any of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees until a vote happens.
Additional reporting by Newsy affiliate CNN.
