Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) released the following statement after voting to object to the certification of electors from Pennsylvania following the 2020 presidential election:
"A day that was intended to debate the importance of election integrity and the rule of law tragically became a day that will be a black mark on our nation's history. Nevertheless, the work of this House must go on, as America will go on.
"We must all sincerely thank the Capitol police and Metro Police for their selfless actions today, putting their safety and lives on the line to protect this House. The lawlessness and violence of today must be condemned, just as all violent protests must be condemned.
"Nevertheless, the fact remains, a large number of Pennsylvanians are enormously frustrated with actions taken by elected and appointed officials in Pennsylvania, which have led to a high level of distrust for this past election. We have a constitution which is the reason we have been and will continue to be a great country, and a country of laws.
"The U.S. Constitution is unambiguous in declaring that state legislatures are the entity with the authority to set election procedures and to enact any changes to election law. Article 1, Section 4, Clause 1 states, ‘The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections … shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof…' The authority of election procedures lies with the state legislature, period. In Pennsylvania, this authority was indisputably usurped by the Pennsylvania Governor's Office, by the Pennsylvania Secretary of State and by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
"These unlawful actions include but are not limited to:
- Accepting ballots past 8:00 pm on Election Day
- Inconsistent application of verified signature requirements for in-person ballots versus mail-in ballots
- Authorizing the curing of mail-in ballots with less than a 24-hour's notice, leading to inconsistent preparedness between counties
- Authorizing the use of unsecure drop boxes, which is not permitted in statute
"It was back in 2005, when then Minority Leader Pelosi, while leading 31 Democrats as they objected to the Presidential Elector certification, as they did in the last three presidential elections when a Republican won stated, quite well actually, ‘The Members of Congress who have brought this challenge are speaking up for their aggrieved constituents, many of whom have been disenfranchised in this process. This is their only opportunity to have this debate while the country is listening, and it is appropriate to do so…' Thank you for those words, Madam Speaker. They were appropriate then as they are now.
"If there is an American ideal that all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, can agree upon it is that we must have election integrity. We should not certify these electors, which were derived by unlawful actions, and a result of inaccurate vote tallies."
To watch Congressman Meuser's remarks on the House Floor, please click HERE.
Original source can be found here.
