Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Tuesday definitively ruled out a Senate vote on legislation aimed at shielding special counsel Robert Mueller from political interference. “That’s not necessary. There’s no indication that Mueller is going to be fired. I don’t think the president’s going to do that. And just as a practical matter, even if we passed it, why would he sign it?” McConnell said in an interview with Fox News. “I’m the one who decides what we take to the floor... We will not be having this on the floor of the Senate.” The Senate Judiciary Committee will soon vote on whether to advance legislation, which has bipartisan support and co-sponsorship. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) responded to McConnell by urging Congress to “head off a constitutional crisis at the pass, rather than waiting until it’s too late.” President Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on the special counsel in recent weeks, leading many lawmakers to fear that the president will move to fire Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the Mueller investigation.

—Andrew Desiderio