- Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas said in a statement on Sunday that he would not join his colleagues who plan to oppose the Electoral College’s vote on Wednesday.
- Cotton, a supporter of President Donald Trump, said that not counting electoral votes “would deprive the people of the power to choose the president” and “set unwise precedents”.
- Cotton, a possible presidential candidate in 2024, also said he has concerns about the election and supports the establishment of a commission to study it and propose reforms.
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Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas said in a statement on Sunday that he would not join his colleagues who plan to challenge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory by opposing the Electoral College’s vote on Wednesday.
Cotton, a supporter of President Donald Trump, said attempts to overthrow the Electoral College would exceed Congress’ power under the Constitution, which gives states the power to direct elections and the courts the power to resolve electoral disputes.
He also said that this “would set unwise precedents”.
“First, Congress would take away from the people the power to choose the president, which would basically end the presidential elections and put that power in the hands of any party that controls Congress,” said Cotton.
He also said that this would threaten the entire Electoral College system and “would take another big step towards the federalization of electoral law”.
President-elect Joe Biden won the election by receiving 306 electoral votes, compared with President Donald Trump’s 232.. The results were certified in every state, and presidential voters cast their votes last month.
Voters’ votes are expected to be certified on Wednesday during a joint session of Congress, which is usually procedural, confirming the winner that voters and the Electoral College have already chosen.
A group of Republican senators, including Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, said they would oppose voting certification during the joint session.
The objections could delay certification of the election, but would not alter the voting results of any US state.
Cotton, a potential candidate for the presidency in 2024, said he was disappointed with the election results and fears “irregularities”, especially with regard to changes in the electoral law related to postal voting.
“Therefore, I support a commission to study the last election and propose reforms to protect the integrity of our elections,” he said.
Cotton joins other Republican senators who have broken up with their colleagues and said they will not challenge the victory of the Biden Electoral College, including Sens. Mitt Romney from Utah, Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania and Lisa Murkowski from Maine.