Hawley, in a statement, described the complaint as a “blatant abuse of the Senate ethics process and a blatant attempt to take revenge on parties” and said the Democrats apparently “intend to use every tool at their disposal . ‘
A Cruz spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Both senators denied allegations that they incited the January 6 uprising, which led to the deaths of five people, and condemned the violence.
But in Thursday’s letter, Democratic senators allege that Hawley and Cruz, by announcing that they would contest the election results, give credibility to former President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of widespread electoral fraud.
In addition, the letter also notes that Cruz and Hawley still voted against confirming the outcome of the presidential election in Pennsylvania and Arizona, hours after the January 6 uprising.
“By continuing to object to the voters after the uprising, Senators Cruz and Hawley have given legitimacy to the cause of the mob,” the senators wrote.
In addition to Whitehouse, the Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) .) signed the letter.
Cruz and Hawley have experienced a two-way setback since their January 6 attack on their election challenge. Several Democratic senators, including Coons, have said they should resign.
Hawley has meanwhile lost a book deal with Simon & Schuster. His mentor, former Senator John Danforth, said his support for the Missouri Republican “was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life.” And Cruz’s communications director resigned.