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Who voted against certification? Why these GOP lawmakers did even after Capitol riot

Joseph Spector
USA TODAY NETWORK

Maryland Rep. Andy Harris condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, but he also had another message: It shouldn't distract from the fraud he insists occurred in the election of Democrat Joe Biden despite numerous courts ruling otherwise.

On the House floor and in statements, the Republican lawmaker said he voted to object to the certification of Biden's victory over President Donald Trump early Thursday after the Capitol chaos because he believes more investigation is needed into the election.

He was not alone.

Returning hours after the attack on the Capitol and working through the night, both the House and Senate voted to accept Arizona’s results, but six GOP senators and 121 GOP House members objected to the vote despite the unfounded nature of the claims of fraud.

And then an objection to the Pennsylvania’s votes failed 282-138. Vice President Mike Pence went on and certified the results for Biden.

But some Republicans, while blasting the violence, largely stayed the course and voted as they said they would to reject the Electoral College results.

"Over 150 million Americans voted and every single one of them should know that their vote was counted and not a single illegal ballot was accepted," Harris, who got into a heated confrontation with colleagues, wrote on Facebook. 

Some Republicans didn't object to the Arizona totals, but did so for the Pennsylvania votes — including most of the GOP delegation in Pennsylvania.

New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, for example, didn't object to the Arizona vote, but did so for the Pennsylvania one.

Stefanik signed objections to electors in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, but only Pennsylvania was among those brought to a vote.

"Tens of millions of Americans are concerned that the 2020 election featured unconstitutional overreach by unelected state officials and judges ignoring state election laws," Stefanik, who represents Northern New York, said on the House floor. 

"We can and we should peacefully and respectfully discuss these concerns."

Pro-Trump rioters climb the west wall of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday

Another New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-Staten Island, said the violence shouldn't distract from the need for more review of the election results, and she objected to both votes Thursday.

"I believe that it doesn’t matter if it was 10 votes, 10,000 voters or enough to overturn the election," she said on Fox News on Thursday. "I think that what occurred in these particular states needs to investigated."

Two other New York congressional members voted in favor of the objections: Lee Zeldin, R-Suffolk County; and Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park, Erie County.

All legal challenges to the election results have been rejected in courts, and election officials have debunked any fraud, as did the U.S. Department of Justice.

But some Republicans were unmoved, reiterating the need for further review, which has been urged by Trump and his supporters.

"At the core of our country's greatness is our democratic system of government" New Jersey GOP Rep. Jeff Van Drew said in a brief speech Wednesday night from the Capitol floor.

"Without faith in the integrity in our elections, Americans will not have faith in our democracy." 

In this image from video, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., speaks as the House reconvenes to debate the objection to confirm the Electoral College vote from Arizona, after protesters stormed into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021

Democrats were quick to pounce on some GOP lawmakers' stance, particularly after the violence.

“A few hours ago, domestic terrorists stormed the Capitol building inspired by Washington Republicans’ wild lies, cynical posturing and far-flung conspiracy theories," Drew Godinich, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

"Congresswoman Malliotakis’ vote tells us clearly and unequivocally that she stands with those violent terrorists, not the rule of law, or the American people or our democracy."

The tumult at the Capitol is unlikely to subside anytime soon, even with the electoral college vote completed and Biden scheduled to take office Jan. 20.

On Thursday, Sen. Chuck Schumer, the likely incoming Senate majority leader from New York, said Trump should be deemed unfit for office and removed with less than two weeks remaining in his term.

He said Pence should invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump. Absent that, Congress should swiftly move to impeach him.

“What happened at the U.S. Capitol yesterday was an insurrection against the United States, incited by the president," Schumer said in a statement.

"This president should not hold office one day longer."

More:At heated House debate, shouting and confrontation ensues for Md. Rep. Andy Harris

More:Pence affirms Biden as winner, formalizing electoral count after day of riots at Capitol; Trump acknowledges loss

Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

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