Rioting by a pro-Trump mob at the Capitol delayed proceedings, but Biden’s path to inauguration on January 20 is clear
Congress has now certified President-elect Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory, despite a chaotic and deadly scene that erupted after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and delayed the proceedings.
The joint session of Congress, which is normally a ceremonial step, was halted for several hours when rioters breached the Capitol.
Proceedings resumed at about 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, with Vice President Mike Pence bringing the Senate session back into order.
The Senate and House rejected objections to throw out Georgia and Pennsylvania’s electoral votes for Biden. Republicans also objected to Arizona, Nevada and Michigan’s electoral votes, but the motions failed before they reached debate.
The Senate voted 93 to 6 to dismiss the objection raised by Republicans to Arizona’s results, and 92 to 7 to reject the objection to Pennsylvania.
These are the senators who voted to object to some of the results of the election (and the states they objected to):
- Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (Arizona, Pennsylvania)
- Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (Arizona, Pennsylvania)
- Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall (Arizona, Pennsylvania)
- Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Arizona, Pennsylvania)
- Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (Arizona, Pennsylvania)
- Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy (Arizona)
- Florida Sen. Rick Scott (Pennsylvania)
- Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis (Pennsylvania)
The House ultimately voted to reject an objection to throw out Pennsylvania’s Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden, but over half of the House Republicans backed the effort. The challenge failed by a vote of 282-138.
The GOP House minority leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, and his deputy, Steve Scalise, were among those seeking to overturn the results.
