/State’s congressional delegation, though not all, beginning to recognize Biden victory

State’s congressional delegation, though not all, beginning to recognize Biden victory

Federal law allows Senate and House members to challenge the results of a presidential election. Some of the members of the delegation said that after Monday’s affirmation by the electoral college, Sen. Roger Wicker from Tupelo, the senior Republican member, they would not accept the results. According to Steven Palazzo’s statement to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, the U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, who represents much of South Mississippi, said that he would not rule out challenging the election. Palazzo stated that he acknowledged the decision of the electoral college and also the responsibility of Congress for certifying the election results on January 6. “In the next weeks, I will continue to evaluate the evidence presented President Trump’s legal staff and make a final determination on verifying election results closer Jan. 6.” U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde Smith, who Trump campaigned heavily for, has not commented since the electoral vote. She was once fundraising on social media for Trump’s numerous, but unsuccessful, legal challenges. Wicker expressed support for Trump’s efforts in looking for voter fraud shortly after the Nov. 3, election, but has remained silent since. Wicker stated that the electoral college vote has made it clear that Joe Biden would be the next President of the United States. I’m disappointed with the outcome and I know that many Mississippians feel the exact same. Nevertheless, it is important that we respect the constitution and move on.” Rep. Michael Guest from Rankin County stated in a statement to Mississippi Today, “The electoral college has cast a final and deciding vote in favor of Joe Biden. My thoughts and prayers are with him as his preparations for the presidency of the United States.” Trent Kelly, who is from Lee County but represents parts of north Mississippi, told the Daily Journal in Tupelo that “It appears Joe Biden has been elected president-elect.” I did exactly what I promised. I voted for President Trump and have taken every legal step to ensure that the election results are valid. There does not seem to be any legal or viable remedy at this point. “Elections, the electoral college, and the states’ right of certifying the electorate are integral parts of every election since our founding. Although I don’t like the outcome of the current election the courts and states have spoken. “Unless there is an unforeseeable, valid legal challenge to the electoral results, I intend to vote in favor of them.” If both a senator or a member of the House agree to challenge any state’s electoral votes, the two chambers will debate the issue separately on Jan. 6. To make the challenge prevail, both chambers must vote by a majority. The Democrats still hold a slim majority of the House and there is no way for them to challenge the president. Numerous Republican senators have also stated that they will not vote for a challenge that would require multiple states to invalidate ballots to succeed. Media reports also claim that Mitch McConnell (Senate Majority Leader) has asked his caucus not to take part in a challenge that is unsuccessful and would place his members in a difficult voting position. Trump and his associates have filed numerous lawsuits challenging the election results. These lawsuits were rejected by judges, both Republicans and Democrats, as well as Trump’s own. Kelly, Guest, and Palazzo filed friend-of-the court briefs to support the Republican state attorneys general’s effort to invalidate results in four swing states won in Biden’s favor, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the suit.