Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia, perhaps the most conservative member of the razor-slim Democratic majority in the Senate, told reporters that it is “frustrating” with his Republican colleagues — but still was not ready to vote for a rules change to end the Senate filibuster.

Manchin’s consternation came as Senate Republicans appeared ready to use that filibuster to block approval of a bipartisan commission to study the events of the deadly January 6 Capitol insurrection, the worst insurrection on US soil since the Civil War.

Last week, 35 Republicans joined Democrats in the House to approve creation of the commission, modeled after the one which performed an investigation after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Trailed Thursday by a gaggle of reporters asking him if he was ready to do away with the filibuster, Manchin replied, “I’m not willing to destroy our government. I’m not willing to destroy our government, no. I think we’ll come together. You have to have faith, there’s 10 good people.”

Manchin was referring to the 10 Senate Republicans that would be required to join Democrats to overcome the expected filibuster.

Republicans have no reason but naked partisanship to block creation of the commission, Manchin said.

“It’s frustrating to say — this I will tell you, there was a lot of negotiations and the leadership and the Democrats on both the House and the Senate have agreed to the recommendations to make the adjustments. There’s no excuse for Republicans not to vote for this unless they don’t want to hear the truth,” he said.

Asked what message he would deliver to any Republican considering the issue, Manchin answered, “The truth will set you free. It’s exactly what I’ve said, the truth will set you free.”

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