Collins becomes third GOP senator to congratulate Biden

His. Susan collinsSusan Margaret Collins Five takeaways from the battle for the Senate Susan Collins: “ We all have to respect the election result ” Trump’s deputy on electoral court challenges: “ I hope Amy Coney Barrett succeeds ” MORE (Maine) became the third Republican senator to congratulate the president-elect on Monday Joe bidenJoe Biden A Philadelphia Republican official responsible for counting the votes said the office is receiving death threats that Biden will call governors and mayors over the mask mandate The Trump Campaign Election Fraud Hotline inundated with prank calls MORE, while urging patience amid a myriad of legal challenges.

“I offer my congratulations to President-elect Biden on his apparent victory – he loves this country and I wish him every success,” Collins said in a statement.

Most Senate Republicans have refrained from commenting on Biden’s victory and have not publicly admitted that President TrumpDonald John Trump A Philadelphia Republican official responsible for the vote count said the office was receiving death threats that Biden would call on governors and mayors over the mask mandate The campaign’s election fraud hotline Trump inundated with prank calls MORE re-election lost.

Two other senators from the GOP – Sens. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt Romney Lindsey Graham: If Trump Conces Election, Republicans ‘Never’ Elect Another President The Memo: Trump Loses But Is Not Defeated Washington Gears Up For A Post-Election Period unpredictable MORE (Utah) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann Murkowski Republicans parted ways over Biden’s win as Trump dug through Senator GOP’s hurdles in acknowledging Biden’s win: ‘Time for the president’s lawyers to present the facts’ Five takeaways of the battle for the Senate PLUS (Alaska) – issued statements praising Biden after The Associated Press and other outlets called the race for him on Saturday.

Collins also leaned his hand on the impending transition process, saying “presidential transitions are important” and that the new Biden administration “should have every chance to ensure it is ready to rule on January 20”.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that General Service Administration Administrator Emily Murphy had yet to claim Biden won the election, a step necessary to give his team access to federal resources and the ability to communicate with agencies.

President Trump has baselessly claimed that the election was rigged and stolen from him – accusations he escalated as it became clearer that he did not have a chance to get 270 votes in electoral colleges.

Trump’s campaign has filed several lawsuits challenging the results in a few battlefield states after the president spent months spreading false claims that postal ballots could open the election to fraud.

While some GOP lawmakers have rebuffed the president’s rhetoric since the election, key allies echoed his claims and urged him to fight. Several have tried to straddle common ground, not directly weighing in on Trump’s claims, but anticipating that the legal process will unfold.

Collins, in his statement, urged “people to be patient.”

“I understand the president and others have questions about the results in some states. There is a process in place to challenge these results and, in accordance with that process, the President should be given the opportunity to do so, ”Collins said.

“I know a lot of people are impatient for certainty right now. Although we have a clear direction, we must continue to respect this process. I urge people to be patient. The process has not failed our country for over 200 years, and it will not fail our country this year, ”added Collins.