Congress confirms Biden`s victory
Hours after a mob of violent Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a display that shocked leaders around the world, Congress reconvened and counted the electoral votes affirming President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
After some objections, the count of Biden’s 306 votes to President Donald Trump’s 232 was finished in proceedings that lasted until 3:40 a.m. Vice President Mike Pence read the totals.
The riots, which left a woman fatally shot by a Capitol Police Officer, had interrupted debate in both chambers about the Republican objection to the Arizona results. Three other adults died after what are believed to be some type of medical emergencies around the Capitol grounds, the DC police chief said.
In reconvening the Senate after order had been restored, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the nation’s government had faced down greater threats than what he called an “unhinged crowd.”
“I want to say to the American people: The United States Senate will not be intimidated,” McConnell said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called the rioters “domestic terrorists,” and blamed President Donald Trump for inciting them. “This will be a stain on our country, not so easily washed away,” he said.
During the counting of the votes, representatives raised objections about some other states, but these were not entertained because senators either withdrew or did not sign on after the day’s chaos. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., signed on to an objection to Pennsylvania’s result but it was defeated in both chambers.
