Two of Georgia’s representatives plan to challenge the Electoral College votes during the January 6th session of Congress. Representative Jody Hice (R-GA-10) and Representative-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14) will join a congressional coalition in objecting the electoral college votes.
Hice met with the President Donald Trump to strategize their objection to the Electors earlier this week. Others in the meeting included Trump’s legal team, Vice President Mike Pence, members of the House Freedom Caucus, Greene, and several other congressional members.
The House Freedom Caucus, or Freedom Caucus, is a coalition of conservative Republicans in the U.S. House. In addition to Hice, current members include Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Chip Roy (R-TX-21), Ted Budd (R-NC-13), Warren Davidson (R-OH-06), Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03), Michael Cloud (R-TX-27), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Scott Perry (R-PA-10), Steve King (R-IA-04), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Dr. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), Dr. Ted Yoho (R-FL-03), and Louie Gohmert (R-TX-01).
Greene has also stated that she plans to challenge the results repeatedly.
“The media obsessively investigated and cried [‘]Russian collusion[‘] for 4 years,” tweeted Greene. “The same media refuses to investigate and report the 2020 stolen election. On Jan 6th, Americans will be shocked at what has occurred. And outraged at those who are willing to turn a blind eye.”
During the January 6th session, Congress members may object to the results offered by each state as they are announced. An objection must be signed by at least one senator and one representative.
Each objection will be considered during a recess period, in which the House and Senate will convene amongst themselves to debate and vote on the objection. These meetings are limited to two hours; each individual may speak only once, and not for more than five minutes. In order for a state’s electoral votes to be rejected, majority votes must arise from both the House and Senate.
It is unclear whether objections will clear both the House and Senate, since Democrats still maintain their House majority. Additionally, some Republican leaders in the Senate have expressed doubt about obtaining Republican support in the Senate for an objection.
“In the Senate, it would go down like a shot dog,” stated Senate Whip John Thune (R-SD). “And I just don’t think it makes a lot of sense to put everybody through this when you know what the ultimate outcome is going to be.”
Trump deemed Thune and all others pessimistic of objecting electoral college votes to be “RINOs” – slang for “Republicans In Name Only.”
“Republicans in the Senate so quickly forget. Right now they would be down 8 seats without my backing them in the last Election,” tweeted Trump. “RINO John Thune, ‘Mitch’s boy’, should just let it play out. South Dakota doesn’t like weakness. He will be primaries in 2022, political career over!!!”
Pence will preside over Congress on January 6th.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photos “Rep Jody Hice” and “Rep-Elect Marjorie Taylor-Greene” by Rep Jody Hice and Marjorie Taylor-Greene.
