Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson has been joined by 125 Republican colleagues, including First District Congressman Andrew P. Harris, in seeking to join a lawsuit filed by the Texas attorney general challenging the presidential election results in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, filed the suit earlier this week with the U.S. Supreme Court. The four states have asked the case to be dismissed and numerous parties have asked to intervene or file amicus briefs.
Paxton claims election officials in those four states illegally changed voting laws, affecting the outcome of the election.
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh is among a group of attorney generals who have opposed the case.
“Our country held a free and fair election with record turnout in the midst of a pandemic,” Frosh said in a statement. “Despite multiple losses in courts across the country, the President and his allies continue to peddle false claims of voter fraud. These actions are an abuse of the legal system. It is time to end the misinformation and accept the choice of the people.”
Electors in Maryland and other states are scheduled to meet Dec. 14 to cast their votes in the presidential election.
Rep. Harris’s office did not respond to an email request for comment on his decision to join Rep. Johnson’s motion.
To look at the docket in the case, go to https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/22o155.html.
Morris Ellison says
Sorry to see that Harris is trying to destroy our democracy. What happens to turn a person like that against our wonderful country?
Louise Thorndike says
I and many friends have emailed Andy Harris, saying how outrageous his action was. He’s acting like a Trump sycophant, not my representative. How dare congressional representatives interfere in the elections of other states. Other friends have called, but his voicemail boxes are full! He should be listening to us and representing us, not his own interests within his political party. Kudos to Attorney General Frosh for respecting our Constitution and the rule of law.
Murphy says
Of course Harris didn’t want to explain his decision to take part in this pathetic power play. What rational explanation could there be other than his fear of being on the wrong side of his leader despite his leader being voted out of office so, darn it, let’s just keep kicking this can down the road until our leader tells us we can stop.
History will not be kind to him and his partners in crime.
Cathy Sewell says
“Representative” Harris does not represent me! He should resign and let someone fill the seat who believes in the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and Democracy.
JT Smith says
I long ago gave up expecting anything better from Congressman Harris. I remain mildly puzzled how a man of his education ended up with so little vision or moral fiber.
Alan Wald says
Biden got a total of 11,062 votes in 2020 and Clinton 8,653 in 2016 = 2,409 increase in Democrat votes, or 28%.
Trump received 10,724 in 2016 and 10,946 in 2020, an increase of 222, or 2%.
Mail-in votes: 2,339 for Trump and 6,271(!) for Biden. No Mail-in voting in 2016.
Queen Anne’s county: Mail-in voting was 1.9 times more than in-person for Biden over Trump.
Dorchester county: Mail-in voting was 2.12 times more than in-person for Biden over Trump.
Caroline county: Mail-in voting was 1.9 times more than in-person for Biden over Trump.
Surrounding counties average a little less than 2 times more mail-in for Biden.
Mail-in voting in Talbot was 2.68 times more than in-person for Biden over Trump.
All other eastern shore counties voted for Trump.
Don’t you find that odd? At the very least there was vote harvesting in Talbot County. Methinks the Democrats found a way and it looks like they do not want transparency, which is a shame, because banning access to information gives the appearance of a cover-up. One asks, what are they afraid of?
Carol voyles says
Vote harvesting in Talbot County? Most of Talbot County’s residents have (at least) a high school education.
Laura Zagon says
Just because Talbot County has more educated citizens doesn’t mean anything illegal went on. Jesus, just because your sick sick sick candidate LOST, doesn’t mean something illegal had to go on. Trump is responsible for whatever votes did not go his way and it is frightening to me and democracy that so many people DID vote for the dictator. I can’t believe people WANT to live in a dictatorship.
Alice Marie Gravely says
As an independent, I feel revulsion toward the actions of Harris, We should be putting our country and our Constitution first. My friends and business associates across the world have communicated to me their worry for the United States under the Trump administration. Citizens should not forget the names of those who undermine our democracy. I’m sure the history books will not look in favor to those who are rallying around sedition.
Carol Voyles says
Thank you. Have we hit bottom yet?
Eva Smorzaniuk, M.D. says
No, we have a few more dangerous years of Dr. Harris as our representative. What we are witnessing here is triumph of Trump propaganda over truth. It’s very sad when we see this blatant disregard of our democratic process.
Laura Zagon says
I am beyond sickened by this Mini Trump politician that represents part of Maryland. I guess it just shows who lives here. People are so ignorant they don’t even see this move to discard America’s vote as the end of democracy. Good luck to everyone when this country is gone authoritarian. Wake up.
Sharon says
Harris wants to overthrow Democracy, a fair election in which he himself was re-elected? Seriously, he needs to get busy passing a bill that provides stimulus money to help his out-of-work, hungry constituents. It appears he would prefer to aid the whims of a petulant wanna-be-dictator. He took an oath to defend the Constitution and Democracy. He is a moral failure.
Frank Carollo says
Even though it’s a moot point now, thanks to Supreme Court, it’s no surprise that Harris lamely ducks giving us, his constituents, an explanation. Can’t wait until he’s an actual lame duck, like his soon-to-be-ex president.
Jim Franke says
Harris should not be allowed back in Congress.
Fourteenth Amendment
Section 3
No Person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Amdt14.S3.1 Disqualification from Holding Office
Amdt14.S3.1.1 Disqualification Clause
Rev Julie Hart says
It’s called Sedition. These elected officials swore a solemn and sacred oath to protect and defend The Constitution of The United States of America. They are traitors. This great country used to take that seriously and there were repercussions. Google it. Look in a history book. We used to NOT tolerate seditious acts. Is it now okay? Is there nothing sacred upon which this country now stands?
I’ve often called out Andy Harris on his oath breaking. It’s been going on for years. And yet he’s voted back in–a traitor. How disgusting. Thank you Supreme Court for defending The Constitution and the election process; letting the natural turn of events carry forward.
What we need now is prayer, loving kindness, attempts at understanding and reconciliation, caring for our neighbor, reaching out to all people in need. We are not enemies we are Americans, all.
The Rev Julie Hart
Robert Parker says
An open letter to Representative Harris
Rep. Harris, in spite of your recent re-election, it is time for you to admit your lack of qualification for this office and step down. This is not about your support for any particular policy – all Americans are free to disagree. What, then, you may ask, disqualifies you from continuing to represent the 1st Congressional district of Maryland in the U.S. Congress? Well, in short, it is your abject disrespect for, or lack of knowledge of, the U.S. Constitution that you have pledged to defend. Aristotle stated that “for democracy to work, citizens need to subsume their private interest to the common good and the notion that we’re not just living for ourselves, but that we live for the community.” By signing on to the Texas lawsuit to cancel the legal votes from 4 states won by President-elect Biden, you have shown that you will act in Mr. Trump’s interests while simultaneously acting against the best interests of your constituents. Based on your education and experience in Congress, one would assume that you have the knowledge to understand that this effort not only lacked any Constitutional justification but was just outright wrong. This suit was a naked assault on all Americans, our election process and our democracy. Excusing your action by saying that the suit was bound to fail is not sufficient reason to offer your support.
I am a relatively new resident of the Eastern Shore, having moved here about 2 years ago when I retired. However, I have been here long enough to understand that the people of the Eastern Shore are deeply patriotic, treat their neighbors with respect and deserve to be respected by those elected to positions of responsibility. You, sir, have disrespected your constituents and betrayed their trust through your pernicious, self-serving support of the corrupt actions initiated to keep Mr. Trump in office. With your support of this suit, you have broken the covenant with the American people that is the Constitution. These actions show that you would do anything to maintain your position of power even if it does not serve the greater good. Shame on you; have you no pride, no principals, no shame? One can only hope that if you do not have the integrity to step down, the people of Maryland’s 1st Congressional District will act to remove you from office if you choose to run in 2022.
Respectfully,
Robert I. Parker, M.D.
Margaret Lovell says
Is there not space for just one letter supporting Andy Harris? How does he manage to win elections when so many have so much animosity toward him and (President Trump)?
Steve Lingeman says
This is just one example of how Andy Harris has gone from being a medical idiot to a political imbecile. This is some sort of move to put Trump back in power in four years.
The American voter is waking up. Trump lost in Talbot county.
The Mid-terms are coming and Andy should watch his back, All it will take is a well funded Democratic candidate.
He’s acting like a Trump sycophant.
Willard Engelskirchen says
So, Andy Harris is sticking with the Trump camp no matter what. I will remember this. Tell me again, is this the same Andy Harris who abruptly cancelled a trip to meet with Hungary’s strong man when the news broke? Thought so.
Andy Harris does not deserve our support.