Rep. Calvert Statement on the Counting of Electoral College Votes

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement on the counting of Electoral College votes:

"There's no excuse or any justification for violence like we saw yesterday at the United States Capitol. We must always protect the rule of law.

During difficult and divisive times in our nation I believe we must follow the Constitution. That's why today I lent my voice to the millions of Americans and my constituents who are deeply concerned by the integrity of the election. I remain especially troubled by Constitutionally questionable changes of voting rules in some states by authorities other than state legislatures. For example, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court – rather than the Pennsylvania legislature – extended the deadline for absentee ballots to be returned until three days after Election Day. A legal challenge (Republican Party of Pennsylvania v. Boockvar) to this matter remains pending before the United States Supreme Court.

I believe we need a thorough investigation of those instances of alleged voter fraud or irregularities. In Arizona, the State Senate has serious concerns over the 2.1 million ballots counted in Maricopa County. In a state where the margin of victory was .3%, it is imperative that we have confidence in the vote tabulation. I support a forensic investigation of all serious allegations of voter fraud and my objection today reflects the concerns I have that must be remedied for future elections.

Let's be clear, votes to object to the counting of Electoral Votes as a means of highlighting election irregularities are not unprecedented. In fact, Congressional Democrats have raised similar objections when every Republican was elected president over the past two decades.

Make no mistake this was not a decision I take lightly. However, moving forward, we must demand states establish election laws through constitutional means and execute the election process in a more orderly and transparent manner to ensure every American can have confidence in the integrity of our elections. We cannot allow unelected judges and election officials to usurp the powers explicitly given in the Constitution to state legislatures and determine how our elections are run.

While I supported today's objections in certain states, I acknowledge that today's certification of the Electoral College votes by Congress means that we will have a new President on January 20th. When Joe Biden occupies the White House, my priorities as a conservative will remain the same: I will continue to fight for American military dominance, fiscal responsibility, an assertive stance towards China, pro-law enforcement policies, and an end to illegal immigration. Now more than ever Republicans must be unified against a radical Democrat agenda that will increase taxes, put all Americans on government run healthcare, open our borders, enact the Green New Deal and further divide our country. I will not stop fighting for the interests of the American people and for my constituents in the 42nd Congressional District of California."

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