Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (Texas) blocked a resolution on Thursday that would have lent the Senate's support to the intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, which was offered up in the wake of President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE’s Monday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sens. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden MORE (R-Ariz.) and Christopher Coons Christopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE (D-Del.) tried to pass their resolution by unanimous consent, which requires the sign off of every senator.

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But Cornyn objected, saying senators should focus on passing new sanctions legislation and warning that they should work through the committee process.





“I think we should consider sanctions, not sort of sense of the Senate resolutions that have no sting or no impact, certainly no deterrent effect on what we all want to discourage, which is Russian involvement in our 2018 elections," Cornyn said from the Senate floor.

He added that committees "ought to be permitted to call the witnesses and ask the hard questions and develop the record before we go on record as to a resolution like this."

The measure, introduced on Wednesday, would support the intelligence community's assessment of Russian election interference days after Trump voiced skepticism about Moscow's election interference.

Flake blasted Trump's rhetoric during the summit in Helsinki, Finland, calling it an "Orwellian moment."

"To reject these findings — and to reject the excruciatingly specific indictment against 12 named Russian operatives in deference to the word of a KGB apparatchik — is an act of will on the part of the president," Flake said.

He added that that the "choice now leaves us contemplating a dark mystery: Why did he do that? What would compel our president to do such a thing?"

"If ever there was a moment to think not of your party but of your country, this is it," Flake continued.

The resolution also commends the Justice Department for investigating Russia's election interference.

Trump has dismissed special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's probe, which is also digging into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Moscow, as a "witch hunt."

The resolution agrees with the intelligence community's findings that the Kremlin sought to influence the 2016 presidential election and that Russia should be held accountable; calls on the administration to fully implement the sanctions against Russia that Congress passed last year; and urges congressional oversight "including prompt hearings and the release of relevant note and information" so Congress can understand the Helsinki summit.

In addition to the Flake-Coons resolution, Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulRand Paul says he can't judge 'guilt or innocence' in Breonna Taylor case Overnight Health Care: Health officials tell public to trust in science | Despair at CDC under Trump influence | A new vaccine phase 3 trial starts Health officials tell public to trust in science MORE (R-Ky.) blocked a separate resolution from Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) that also would have demanded Trump sit down with Mueller as part of his probe.

Trump sparked widespread backlash when he refused to condemn Russia's election meddling during the joint press conference with Putin on Monday. He tried to walk back his comments on Tuesday, saying he accepted the intelligence community's findings, but added that it could be "other people" as well.

Flake and Coons pledged after Cornyn blocked their resolution that they would try again to pass it in the future.

"We'll bring it back," Flake said. "I believe that this should pass, and I believe it ultimately will pass."

—Updated at 5:17 p.m.