A joint session of Congress began meeting at 1 p.m. to certify results of the presidential election but a large number of Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Andy Harris, are expected to object to results in certain swing states that led to an Electoral College victory for Joe Biden over Donald Trump.
Certification is usually a routine process, but objections will make it a much lengthier one.
The first objection — which requires an objection in writing from at least one senator and congressman — to the Electoral College votes came when the results from Arizona were read. As a result of the objection, the Senate and the House of Representatives withdrew from the joint session and met separately to debate and vote on the objection.
A dozen Republican senators and more than 100 Republican congressmen have said they intend to object as the Electoral College votes are read state by state.
Maryland Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R) told WBAL-TV on Monday that he will likely object to several states “where I think the outcome is probably in doubt because inadequate investigation has been allowed to occur.”
“If there is no wrongdoing, there is nothing to hide, let’s go ahead, you know, throw open the windows, open the doors, let’s see all the materials,” Harris told the station. “…I would love to hear from the other side why investigations shouldn’t be done.”
Harris was one of two Republican congressmen who voted against seating the newly elected House members from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Forbes reported.
A Republican Texas congressman opposed to efforts to reject the presidential results had challenged the seating of those House members, arguing that any voter fraud in those states would also affect the congressional results. By challenging the results in those House races, he forced his GOP colleagues to acknowledge the legitimacy of the congressional results in those states.
To watch the debate, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKy84YmL-sU.
Matt LaMotte says
He may be a classic Republican Knucklehead, with NO knowledge of the Constitution we’re paying him protect, but he’s OUR Knucklehead! Oh, that’s right; he lives in Baltimore County!!
Tom Vail says
It’s 3:30 pm on the day our Congressional members are supposed to be receiving the results of the 2020 Presidential election. Instead, they are on hold, locked down in our capitol building due to a riot incited by our current President. Did Andy Harris think this one through?
marian murphy says
Guess you are now locked down in the Capital with a lot of your enablers because of our president’s encouragement for an insurrection. Well I’m watching the break-ins’ on TV and I’d love to see you under your desk hiding from your leader’s instructions. The writing has been on the wall for more than four years and you needed an insurrection to understand what it would come to.
Michael Davis says
I thought Congressman Harris should wear his old military uniform when he stands on the House floor supporting attempts to undermine democracy. And I also hoped the Star Democrat woud publish a picture of him in his uniform with article quoting Congressman Harris’s evidence of stolen elections.
Now I’m really disappointed. He could have had a picture in his uniform leading the terrorist take over of the Capitol.
He, and the hundreds of terrorists who attacked the Capitol, should be happy they are White. If they were Black, many, many would be dead.
Suzanne Todd says
What say you now, Representative Harris? Trump, whose lies you’ve supported for four years has brought our country to this point. Trump encouraged his followers to do this. I fear for our country. He needs to be removed from office now!
Susan Blankner says
As i read this article today, while watching television with sadness and anger, I remembered, “words have consequences, and like actions you must take responsibility for them”. Andy Harris has no understanding of this. Calls to his office to protest his actions in Congress generated return calls from his office to “come on down” and show your support. Why would anyone, let alone a Congressman, encourage his constituents to disagree or overthrow a legitimate election, which the courts have upheld?
BA Seabury says
I am rarely in agreement with our Congressman, Andy Harris, and never more so than today. I actually called his office earlier this week to express my disagreement with his opposition to the acceptance of the Electoral College votes scheduled for today. Every state of the union, upon submitting their electoral votes, has sworn that the votes cast in their states are valid and without apparent fraud. Over 60 lawsuits and 90 judges have certified the validity of the 2020 presidential race. I am sick of hearing these baseless claims and our congressman needs to report truth, not lies, to his constituents. I suspect the congressmen and senators associated with this attempt to overthrow a free and fair election are well aware of the truth.
The disgrace of this sad day’s mob violence, the desecration of our iconic Capitol building and injuries to the brave Capitol police officers are a shameful stain on our country, both within our borders and throughout the world. In supporting the president’s baseless claims of widespread fraud and “stolen election” results, Andy Harris is complicit in facilitating the lawlessness exhibited by the violent crowd today.