[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 6, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     OBJECTION TO ELECTORAL COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 2021

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I am filled with sadness and anger 
following the attack on the U.S. Capitol today. It is the result of a 
fever that has been building for weeks, months and years and which has 
only been further incited by President Trump. Today is a point of 
inflection and reflection, and we need to say enough. This only 
strengthens our resolve to get the Electoral Votes counted and 
certified and continue with a peaceful transition of power, as has been 
a hallmark of our nation.
  The vote was decisive. Despite the ongoing pandemic, we saw a 
historic 158 million Americans vote. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won 
306 votes in the Electoral College after earning the support of more 
than 81 million Americans. After 60 failed lawsuits and dozens of 
recounts, there is not one shred of evidence of major fraud in this 
election. Yet ever since Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won this election, 
there has been a concerted effort to overturn the will of the voters. 
These objections are unfounded, absurd and dangerous. They are contrary 
to 60 courts which denied claims of fraud or vote improprieties. I am 
saddened to see many of my colleagues continue to peddle these lies and 
falsehoods instead of supporting the peaceful transition of power 
enshrined in our Constitution.
  Our elections are among the safest and most transparent in the world. 
For that, I want to thank the tens of thousands of Americans who work 
to secure our elections each and every year, including Colorado's 
elections officials and workers who continue to exemplify a successful 
mail-in voting system and workers for Dominion Voting Systems based in 
Colorado. Unfortunately, due to these baseless attacks on the election 
results, many of these election workers have been threatened and 
intimidated. Yet these poll workers did their duty and counted the 
votes, shepherding and overseeing one of the most fundamental and 
integral pillars of our democracy--free, fair and open elections.
  Today, Congress resolves to complete our work in Joint Session to 
formally receive the votes of the Electors, which have not been 
disputed by any state. Our job is not to overturn the will of the 
voters or the states, it is simply to certify their decision on who 
will be the next President and Vice President of the United States. I 
urge all my colleagues to reject these frivolous and dangerous 
objections to the vote of the Electoral College and join with the 
country in supporting the peaceful transition of power. It's time to 
get back to the business of the people and of the country as we build a 
better future.

                          ____________________