GOP calls for hearing on crime spike after Democrats bar them from virtually joining in Chicago

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans are asking Democrat Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to hold a hearing about the nationwide increase in violent crime, following a hearing in Chicago that Republican members say they were denied the right to join virtually. 

The GOP committee members, led by Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, wrote that they were concerned about President Joe Biden's plan to fight crime, which they say "focuses on lawful gun acquisition and lawful gun owners." The Biden's plan was discussed more in depth during Durbin's hearing on Monday, titled "Combating Gun Trafficking and Reducing Violence in Chicago."

Although it would be easy for Durbin to travel to a hearing in his home state, the GOP committee members said it "travel to Chicago would have been difficult," especially given the fact that senators are wrapping things up in Washington before recess.

"Accordingly, we previously requested that you make virtual or telephone questioning available. That request was denied," the group wrote. 

Judiciary Republicans then asked Durbin to hold a hearing in D.C. on the spike in murders and challenges faced by police officers. 

"Ineffective bail policies, cumbersome restraints on police officers, and the impact of the 'progressive prosecutor' movement are exacerbating this surge," the Judiciary GOP wrote. "While it would have been helpful to explore the effects of these factors on crime in Chicago, given the many other cities that are impacted by the crime surge, we believe it would be even more useful if we could explore these problems on a national scale with the full committee."