TRUMP FINALLY ADMITS HE’S OUT
17 lawmakers still objected to the vote
Seventeen of the 25 Texas Republicans in Congress objected to counting Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden overnight, virtually all of them pointing to debunked claims of voter fraud and sticking to plans to reject the Democrat’s victory.
Sen. Ted Cruz also objected to results from Arizona and Pennsylvania as he stuck to calls for an “emergency audit” of the election results, even as some of the Republican senators who’d backed his efforts dropped their objections after President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday.
Biden’s win was certified by both chambers, and Cruz’s objection to the Arizona results was shot down in the Senate on a vote of 93-6.
“The attack at the Capitol was a despicable act of terrorism and a shocking assault on our democratic system,” Cruz said in a statement early Thursday.
He added that he had pushed for a commission to study the results to “give Americans confidence in this past election and in elections going forward.”
“It was the right thing to do,” he said. “I very much wish Congress had not set aside these concerns, but I respect the position each of my colleagues took. Debate in the two houses of Congress is the proper way to resolve our political differences, not through violent attacks.”
The votes split Texas Republicans, with GOP members from the house emerging as some of the strongest proponents for certifying Biden’s election results.
Central Texas Rep. Chip
Roy, who voted to certify the election results, gave an impassioned speech on the House floor late Wednesday that drew a standing ovation from members in the Democratic-controlled chamber.
“That vote maywell sign my political death warrant. But so be it,” Roy said. “I swore an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States and I will not bend its words into contortions for political expediency.”
Rep. Michael Mccaul, whose district stretches from Austin to Houston, said he voted to certify because “if Congress chooses to ignore or second-guess the electoral votes cast by the states, it will set a dangerous precedent that could call into question the very institution of our democracy.”
In a statement late Wednesday, Rep. Kevin Brady of The Woodlands, who was unable to vote because he tested positive for COVID-19, said hewould have voted to certify, as well.
“I would remain true to the conservative constitutional principles that guide me, and vote to accept the Electoral College votes as legally certified by each state,” he said.
Sen. John Cornyn, who didn't pose any objections Wednesday, also has criticized the effort as being based on “disappointment” in the election results and “unproven allegations,” which he said would do “irreparable harm to our great democracy.”
The16 Texans in the House who objected to results from Arizona, Pennsylvania or both are: Jodey Arrington of Lubbock, Brian Babin of Woodville, Michael Burgess of Pilot Point, John Carter of Round Rock, Michael Cloud of Victoria, Pat Fallon of Sherman, Louie Gohmert of Tyler, Lance Gooden of Terrell, Ronny Jackson of Amarillo, Troy Nehls of Richmond, August Pfluger of San Angelo, Pete Sessions of Waco, Beth Van Duyne of Irving, Randy Weber of Friendswood, Roger Williams of Austin and Ron Wright of Arlington.
Here's what they have said about their decision:
Arrington
“In 2016, many of my Democrat colleagues objected to the certification of votes and then inexplicably refused to accept Congress' ultimate certification of President Trump as our legitimate and duly elected president. This defiance of the Constitution and blatant disregard for the Rule of Law is unconscionable and a dereliction of our sacred duty. I will object on Jan. 6 and voice my constitutional concerns with the 2020 presidential election, and I urge my colleagues to do the same,” Arrington wrote in a letter dated Tuesday and sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Babin
“If SCOTUS had properly acted and heard the Texas lawsuit, we might have prevented frustrations from festering into the tragic events of yesterday. The American people deserved a decision on the merit of numerous claims of unconstitutionality, irregularity, and fraud. It was their duty. They failed,” Babin said in a statement Thursday. “I am against what took place yesterday inside the Capitol building.”
Burgess
“Before and after this malicious event, I listened as fellow members presented evidence and arguments for the need to object to the electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania,” Burgess said in a statement. “The case was presented about the unprecedented voting irregularities, overreach by government bureaucrats and the lack of ballot integrity and security that have left many wondering why they should even vote. It is important that every American has confidence in our election system and that their vote was counted the way it was cast.”
Carter
“I do not take the decision to object to the Electoral College certification lightly,” Carter said in a statement. “In fact, it is one of the most serious things I will do this year as the representative of the 31st District of Texas — stand up for the 74 million people who feel like they cannot trust their democracy.”
Cloud
“Article II of the Constitution (reaffirmed in the 12th Amendment) makes clear that it is the state legislatures who define how electors are selected — in other words, how elections are managed within their state,” Cloud wrote on Twitter.
“In many states, however, judges and election officials at varying levels instituted their own election processes. These new processes implemented, sometimes weeks leading up to Election Day, violated established state election laws. These unilateral actions — not taken by the state legislatures but judges and election officials — are not supported by the Constitution.”
Fallon
“The last time I checked a District Court judge ain't a State Legislature!!” Fallon wrote on Facebook. “We must pushback and stand up for ALL Americans! If we don't have free, honest and open elections then we are no longer a republic, we are no better than a banana republic.”
Gohmert
Gohmert on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review his lawsuit against Vice President Mike Pence that was dismissed by a lower court last week.
“I believe in using the court system for the same reason they were created, Article III of the Constitution, to resolve disputes, so we don't have to have riots and violence,” Gohmert said in an interview with Newsmax on Friday. “There are people all over the country praying that people will get a backbone. If they do not, it
will mean the end of our republic, the end of this little experiment of self-government.”
Gooden
“I will never vote to certify a RIGGED election,” Gooden tweeted. “That's why I was one of the FIRST House members to announce that I'll be OBJECTING on Jan. 6. I am pleased to see so many members joining the fight President @realdonaldtrump & the future of our country are worth fighting for!”
Jackson
“I'm CHALLENGING the Electoral College because the patriotic citizens I represent DESERVE to know if the Presidential election was a FRAUD,” Jackson tweeted. “We don't stand for FRAUD in Texas, and i will fight it until the end! Nehls
“You sent me to Congress to fight for President Trump and election integrity and that's exactly what I'm doing,” Nehls wrote in a tweet.
Pfluger
“For our democracy to function everyone must trust in it and millions of Americans right now do not,” Pfluger said in a statement. “We must give the American people a full debate on all matters related to the election andthe constitutional issues at hand.”
Sessions
“America needs to be one of rule of law and of instant replay with a close call.” Sessions said in a statement. “If we neglect to challenge the states in question, whomever gets the presidency will be seen in a different light. It is in everyone's best interest to constitutionally verify the result.”
Van Duyne
“I voted against the electors from Pennsylvania because I will not surrender the notion that election integrity matters,” Van Duyne said in a statement. “If we do not fight for and demand a ruling on the unconstitutionality of how Pennsylvania conducted its election, then every election here forward will be at risk for unconstitutional and tyrannical changes.” Weber
“I stand with Rep. Brooks and other conservative House members,” Weber said in a Facebook post.
Williams
“I'm not ashamed, and neither are my colleagues. … We're actually proud of what we're doing over here,” the Washington Post reported that Williams said Wednesday.
Wright
“Although what we saw yesterday was inexcusable and reprehensible, it doesn't change the fact that election laws were broken, and evidence of voter fraud has been presented,” Wright said in a statement Thursday. “Both deserve to be investigated. Last night, I objected to certifying the Electoral College votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania to fight for the integrity of our elections and to give certainty to millions of Americans that our electoral process is safe and secure.”