Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has stated he will not object to the certification of the Electoral College vote when Congress meets on January 6 to confirm Joe Biden as president-elect. Johnson, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, told reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday: 'I don't think it's going to happen. I'm certainly not going to do it.'
Johnson's decision comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged Republican senators not to join a planned challenge by some House Republicans, warning it would split the party and ultimately fail. McConnell also congratulated Biden as 'president-elect' during Senate floor remarks on Tuesday, drawing Trump's ire. Trump tweeted: 'Too soon to give up. Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry!'
While Johnson has ruled out participation, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has not. Hawley told reporters he is 'studying the issue' and will 'do my due diligence.' He added that every senator must decide for themselves what best represents their constituents. House Republicans, led by Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, are pushing for challenges to electors from five swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who had been courted by Brooks, said he has no plans to join the effort. 'I haven't thought about it, or made any plans to do anything,' Paul told reporters. The Electoral College voted on Monday to confirm Biden's victory, and Congress is set to certify the result on January 6.
