As they awaited a response from the absent Hawley, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Todd Young (Ind.) remarked, “Surely Josh Hawley is having technological issues because he would want to speak on such an important matter.”

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey pushed back on Hawley during the conversation, delivering what one person briefed on the remarks described as a forceful denunciation. The Missouri senator has focused his objections on Pennsylvania, arguing that it and other states failed to adhere to their own election laws…

Some Republicans expressed annoyance that Hawley missed the call, noting that the senator announced his plans a day earlier and should have anticipated questions about it. Some say they have struggled in recent days to nail down Hawley’s thinking.

Hawley instead sent an email to Senate Republicans after the call wrapped.