suppress or steal any election should be investigated and prosecuted.
Even if the nefarious activity was minor—and not likely to alter the outcome of an election—individuals who engage in such acts should be held accountable in a court of law.
Noone has a license to cheat.
Sixteen years ago, some Democratic members of the Senate and House tried to overturn the results of the Bush–Kerry Presidential election. They failed. When counting the electoral votes on January 6, 2005, I voted “no” on the objection to accepting Ohio’s electors—enough to reverse the outcome of the election—sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D–Oh) because the allegations lacked both merit and proof. Only 31 Members of the House voted in favor of the election changing objection.
Congress, states and local governments need to undertake a top-to-bottom review of election law and administrative polices to ensure that elections are free and fair.
The future of our Nation depends on it.
Finally, I unequivocally condemn the assault on the Capitol today. And those who committed violence, vandalism and other crimes should be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law.
Special thanks to the Capitol Police and all law enforcement for their brave and decisive actions to mitigate and then end today’s crisis.
Despite its many flaws, the U.S. Congress continues to be an extraordinary marketplace of ideas and differing opinions.
The enactment of wise public policy to benefit all Americans requires robust dialogue and debate—and genuine respect for one another especially when there is fundamental disagreement. We must be committed to zero-tolerance towards violence in any form.
OBJECTION TO ELECTORAL COLLEGE
HON. ED PERLMUTTER
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mr. Perlmutter. Madam Speaker, I am filled with sadness and anger following the attack on the U.S. Capitol today. It is the result of a fever that has been building for weeks, months and years and which has only been further incited by President Trump. Today is a point of inflection and reflection, and we need to say enough. This only strengthens our resolve to get the Electoral Votes counted and certified and continue with a peaceful transition of power, as has been a hallmark of our nation.
The vote was decisive. Despite the ongoing pandemic, we saw a historic 158 million Americans vote. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won 306 votes in the Electoral College after earning the support of more than 81 million Americans. After 60 failed lawsuits and dozens of recounts, there is not one shred of evidence of major fraud in this election. Yet ever since Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won this election, there has been a concerted effort to overturn the will of the voters. These objections are unfounded, absurd and dangerous. They are contrary to 60 courts which denied claims of fraud or vote improprieties. I am saddened to see many of my colleagues continue to peddle these lies and falsehoods instead of supporting the peaceful transition of power enshrined in our Constitution.
Our elections are among the safest and most transparent in the world. For that, I want to thank the tens of thousands of Americans who work to secure our elections each and every year, including Colorado’s elections officials and workers who continue to exemplify a successful mail-in voting system and workers for Dominion Voting Systems based in Colorado. Unfortunately, due to these baseless attacks on the election results, many of these election workers have been threatened and intimidated. Yet these poll workers did their duty and counted the votes, shepherding and overseeing one of the most fundamental and integral pillars of our democracy—free, fair and open elections.
Today, Congress resolves to complete our work in Joint Session to formally receive the votes of the Electors, which have not been disputed by any state. Our job is not to overturn the will of the voters or the states, it is simply to certify their decision on who will be the next President and Vice President of the United States. I urge all my colleagues to reject these frivolous and dangerous objections to the vote of the Electoral College and join with the country in supporting the peaceful transition of power. It’s time to get back to the business of the people and of the country as we build a better future.
CONGRATULATING SUMMIT COUNTY COMMISSIONER KARN STIEGELMEIER ON HER RETIREMENT
HON. JOE NEGUSE
OF COLORADO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mr. Neguse. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize and honor the work of retiring Summit County Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier. Karn has continuously devoted much of her time and energy to maintaining our beautiful public lands and environment in Summit County, Colorado—a community I am so proud to represent. Prior to serving as a County Commissioner, she worked for the National Forest Service and National Park Service, where she served in the crucial roles of wildland firefighter and park ranger, and also taught students in Summit County.
During her time as a Summit County Commissioner, Karn continued to advocate for the protection of our environment and was fiercely determined to preserve the precious quality of life we enjoy in Colorado. She also continuously advocated for forest health and wildfire prevention, both of which have helped Colorado’s Second Congressional District in incalculable ways.
She has truly shown an incredible determination to better her community, and I thank her for her many years of service as County Commissioner. I am grateful for all the work Karn has done during her time as a Summit County Commissioner and wish her a restful and well-deserved retirement from public service.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE
HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS
OF TENNESSEE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mr. DesJarlais. Madam Speaker, I rise to voice my concerns about the certification of the Electoral College vote.
First, I think it is imperative to highlight the importance of how our nation’s elections are conducted. I have received many calls, emails, letters, and I have spoken to many of my constituents who are concerned about the irregularities in the 2020 election cycle.
Today, I have many concerns about our most recent election, but my objection is focused on one primary constitutional question around changes to election laws made by state officials without the approval of their state legislatures. This is, of course, a legal question, concerning the constitutionality of last-minute election law changes made by executive orders without the approval of the state legislatures. Article II, Section 1 includes the “Electors Clause,” stating:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
There is no question that changes in state election laws were made by executive orders without legislative approval (usually under the guise of COVID) to allow for ballots to be allowed after deadlines had passed and mail-ins and absentees to be allowed under far more liberal circumstances which created an environment that allowed “vote harvesting” and thousands of ballots to be counted days and weeks after the election—without the requisite standards of verification that we should expect for a secure election.
It is a valid constitutional question and I note a recent observation by Justice Gorsuch in an unrelated recently decided case between the Brooklyn diocese and Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York on unlawful forced shutdowns:
“Government is not free to disregard the [Constitution] in times of crisis. … Yet recently, during the COVID pandemic, certain States seem to have ignored these long-settled principles.”
All of these issues are just some of the concerns and questions regarding the 2020 election and were not limited to these three states. Many other concerns of voting irregularities have been reported across the country including fraud and government officials changing state laws without legislature approval.
These are serious concerns and allegations. It should be the state legislatures, and not government officials or judges, making changes to election laws.
The timing of these election law changes is also problematic. In some states, changes were made to state election laws during the year of the election. These last-minute changes only allow for confusion and chaos, as we have seen since November 2020.
From a global pandemic to one of the most consequential Presidential elections in our lifetimes, 2020 was a year of many unknowns.
