House and Senate Overwhelmingly Reject Attempt to Object to Arizona's Presidential Election Results

Strategic Insights -

The Senate voted 93-6 to dismiss the objection raised by Republicans Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, while the House voted 303-121 to reject the opposition to Arizona's election results, with all Democrats in opposition. The move came after a pro-Trump mob breached the US Capitol and forced lawmakers into lockdown, halting the Electoral College vote count for more than five hours.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate voted 93-6 to dismiss the objection raised by Rep. Gosar and Sen. Cruz, with six Republicans voting to sustain the objection.
  • The House voted 303-121 to reject the opposition to Arizona's election results, with all Democrats in opposition.
  • The Electoral College vote count was halted for more than five hours due to a pro-Trump mob breaching the US Capitol and forcing lawmakers into lockdown.
  • Republicans and Democrats alike condemned the protesters for breaching the US Capitol, with several blaming Trump for the dangerous situation that unfolded.
  • Senator Ted Cruz and several other Republicans dropped their objections to the election results after the riots.
  • Sen. Rand Paul condemned the Senate's efforts to overturn the election results, saying it would undermine the concept of states' rights.
  • Sen. Mitt Romney warned that voting to back Trump's objections would "forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy."

Statistics:

  • 93-6: The Senate vote to dismiss the objection raised by Rep. Gosar and Sen. Cruz.
  • 303-121: The House vote to reject the opposition to Arizona's election results.
  • 6: The number of Republicans who voted to sustain the objection in the Senate.
  • 121: The number of Republicans who voted to throw out Arizona's election results in the House.
  • 50-50: The fresh Senate balance after Democrats took control in Georgia's Senate runoff.

Sources:

  • CNN: Jeremy Herb, Clare Foran, Manu Raju and Phil Mattingly
  • The New York Times
  • The Washington Post
  • Biden's campaign website
  • 1 CNN, (CNN) -- The latest updates on the Electoral College vote count
  • Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)