(RightWing.org) – It could get very interesting when the US Senate meets to certify the Electoral College results. As of Monday morning, January 4, nearly 25% of Senate Republicans say they are ready to contest the choice of the delegates, who voted 306 to 232 to elect Joe Biden. President Donald Trump maintains his position that the election was stolen from him through mail-in voter fraud and other means.
On Wednesday, January 6, both chambers are expected to vote to certify the election. However, if Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and 10 other Senators have their say, the Senate will vote against certification unless there’s an emergency 10-day election audit. The Senators claim that there are “unprecedented allegations of voter fraud, violations and lax enforcement of election law.”
What Is the Process?
At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, both chambers are scheduled to be in session to vote on certifying the Electoral College results. “Tellers” are appointed by both the House and Senate to read the ballots and verify the results. Once completed, the tellers read the states’ certificates in alphabetical order and declare that each certificate “seems to be regular in form and authentic.”
It’s at that point any lawmaker can object. However, there must be one House member and one Senate member who agree to suspend the vote count for debate to begin. At that point, both chambers retreat to meet separately to consider the objection.
Under the rules, Vice President Mike Pence will oversee the process as the President of the Senate. He has the power to acknowledge any objections. The vice president said over the weekend that he welcomes the effort to delay the vote and will acknowledge House and Senate members that object.
The GOP Senators who say they will support the 10-day delay to certify include Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-TN), Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), and James Lankford (R-OK). Newly-elected Senators also on board include Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
Stay tuned. Wednesday could be a historic day.
Don Purdum, Independent Political Analyst
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