Pence ‘hails’ lawmakers’ efforts to’ raise objections’ to Electoral College results

Vice President Pence’s chief of staff said in a statement on Saturday that the vice president “welcomed” efforts by some lawmakers to “raise objections” on January 6, when Congress met to certify the electoral college’s vote .

“Vice President Pence shares the concerns of millions of Americans about voter fraud and irregularities in the last election,” Marc Short, Pence’s chief of staff, said in a statement to The Hill.

“Vice President applauds the efforts of members of the House and Senate to use the authority they have under the law to raise objections and present evidence to Congress and the American people on January 6,” the statement continued.

The comment is the most comprehensive remark Pence’s office has made on the January 6 proceedings following a highly controversial election between President TrumpDonald Trump Trump calls Georgia Senate second round ‘both illegal and invalid’ in New Year’s tweets Judge dismisses Gohmert’s election lawsuit against Pence Former GOP senator suggests forming new party and calls Trump the Republicans’ “ master of the track ” MORE and elected president Joe bidenJoe BidenTrump calls Georgia Senate runoff ‘both illegal and invalid’ in New Years tweets Judge dismisses Gohmert’s election lawsuit against Pence Former GOP senator suggests forming new party and calls Trump the ‘master of Republicans’.

In the roughly two months since polling day, Pence paused before explicitly repeating Trump’s rhetoric that the election was fraudulent, instead calling for all “legal votes” to be counted. . Yet he has not publicly discouraged efforts by the president or his allies to challenge or overturn the election results.

His statement comes a day after a GOP lawsuit seeking to give him the power to overturn election results on January 6 was rejected for lack of standing.

Pence will chair the January 6 meeting, but his role is largely ceremonial.

Dozens of incoming and current Republicans have indicated they would contest the electoral college vote at Wednesday’s meeting. GOP representatives. Andy Biggs (Arizona), Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) Gaetz Here are Republicans planning to challenge Electoral College results Growing number of House Republicans cheer for proxy voting Florida Democrat files petition to suppress Gaetz MORE (Florida.), Louie gohmertLouis (Louie) Buller GohmertJudge dismisses Gohmert’s election lawsuit against Pence Let Louie Gohmert sue Arizona GOP President’s comments on YouTube could undermine Republican election lawsuit against Pence MORE (Texas), Paul GosarHere are Republicans planning to challenge Electoral College results Leading GOP lawmakers call for Swalwell to be removed from intelligence committee House Intelligence Republicans who did not sign Texas lawsuit MORE (Ariz.) And Jody I didJody Brownlow Hice Here are Republicans who plan to challenge Electoral College results Growing number of GOP lawmakers returning Electoral College challenge The Hill’s Morning Report – Congress passes year-end COVID-19 relief, omnibus deal MORE (Ga.) Are some of the Republicans who plan to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress meets next week.

His. Josh hawleyJoshua (Josh) David Hawley Former GOP senator suggests forming new party, calls Trump Republicans ‘track master’ Georgia keeps Senate agenda in limbo Frustrations erupt as 000 checks blocked for the fourth consecutive day PLUS (R-Mo.) Was the first GOP senator to say he would join the effort last week. His objection, along with a House legislator, is enough to ensure that both houses should debate and vote in the House and Senate on the matter.

A majority in both chambers would have to vote to uphold the objection for it to succeed.

However, the effort is unlikely to succeed as Democrats control the House, and several GOP senators have said they will oppose any objection.

Hawley, along with other Republican lawmakers, has expressed concern over the number of allegations of electoral fraud after the 2020 presidential election. Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed that the election was prompted by fraud generalized electoral system.

However, senior election officials, in addition to former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr, have confirmed that there is no evidence of widespread fraud.

The movement to challenge next week’s election results gained new momentum on Saturday after 11 GOP Senators said that they would oppose it until there is a 10-day audit of election results in some states.

President-elect Biden won 306 electoral votes versus 232 for President Trump, and Biden led Trump by 7 million votes in the popular vote.

– Brett Samuels contributed