Senators Tim Scott (RS.C.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) Also said on Tuesday that they would not object to the election results. In a statement, Moran said that doing so “would risk undermining our democracy – which is built on the rule of law and the separation of powers” and that “no victory for a cause today can be worth what we would lose tomorrow”.
At least 23 Republican senators will vote to certify Biden’s electoral victory, according to a series of interviews and statements. As of Tuesday noon, 15 Republican senators had not said what they would do publicly. With all Democratic senators also rejecting the challenge to Biden’s victory, President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign will easily fail, even if it manages to divide the Republican Party.
Senator Kevin Cramer (RN.D.) told MSNBC on Tuesday that reaching the conclusion of endorsing Biden’s victory in decisive states was a “brutal” episode because most of his constituents were urging him to oppose certification.
“It was not an easy emotional decision,” said Cramer, arguing that he would never like to see a situation where senators from other states were trying to deprive the North Dakotans. With that in mind, he added: “I’m quite comfortable with that.”
Still, not everyone is showing their cards. Several Republican senators, from Chuck Grassley of Iowa to Marco Rubio of Florida and Todd Young of Indiana, are refusing to comment on their intentions before Wednesday. That day is likely to be filled with intra-GOP clashes, as opponents struggle on the ground with members of their own party who refuse to impede Biden’s formal path to the presidency.
Hawley said he plans to contest Pennsylvania’s electoral votes, while Cruz’s group of senators is still undecided on how many states to contest and how many votes his colleagues should vote. Cruz will at least challenge Arizona to create a commission to complete a 10-day review of the election, according to a source familiar with the matter. But the chances of establishing such a commission are extremely unlikely.
Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) Is likely to challenge Georgia. And Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) Will object to the three states, according to a source familiar with his thinking.
Each state that receives an objection from a member of the House and a senator requires a two-hour debate followed by a vote on the challenge. This means that at least three long debates – and votes – will take place in the Senate and the House.
Trump praised the group of objectors on Tuesday, tweeting: “They are going to fight the ridiculous Biden Electoral College Certification. How do you certify the numbers that have now proven to be wrong and, in many cases, fraudulent! ”As for those on the other side, Trump is calling them” caucus of surrender “.
Hawley again denied that he was trying to overturn the election on Monday night, telling Fox News that he is only exercising his rights to force a debate.
“Congress is run by the 12th Amendment to count electoral votes,” said Hawley. “There is a right to contest, there is a right to be heard”.
But the challenge is bitterly dividing the caucus. Some Senate Republicans who could eventually run for president also condemned the attempt to block certification of Biden’s victory.
“Congress would take from the people the power to choose the president and put him in the hands of any party that controls Congress,” wrote Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) In an article published on Tuesday. “This action would basically end our tradition of democratic presidential elections, empowering politicians and party leaders in Washington.”
The division in the party is not taking place on clear lines of failure. Both aligned Republicans like Mitt Romney and Susan Collins and pro-Trump conservatives like Cotton and Mike Lee resisted Trump’s impulse.
Although Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell warned his conference that Wednesday’s move would be a “terrible” vote, he is not actively attacking it. He will demean himself against personal effort, but he is encouraging members to follow their consciences.
Wednesday’s vote will represent the Senate Republicans’ most significant rejection of Trump, who continues to make false claims about widespread electoral fraud in the election he lost. Although the president this week attacked Republicans who rejected his efforts, some of his strongest supporters argue that the break with the president this time should not erase his ardent support for the past four years.
“I support President Trump and worked with him to advance important policies for North Dakota and our nation,” said Senator John Hoeven (RN.D.). But “the people of North Dakota do not want Congress to determine their vote, and we must not set a precedent by doing so for other states.”