Capitol riot causes reverse for senators who had planned to object President-elect Biden's win

Senate will come to order. The vice president, as president of the Senate, would like to give a brief statement with the indulgence of senators. Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift efforts of U. S Capitol police, federal, state and local law enforcement, the violence was quelled, the capital is secured and the people's work continues. We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms. We grieve the loss of life in these hallowed halls, a swell as the injuries suffered by those who defended our capital today. And we will always be grateful the men and women who stayed at their posts to defend this historic place. To those who wreaked havoc in our capital today, you did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins, and this is still the people's house. And as we reconvene in this chamber, the world will again witness the resilience and strength of our democracy. For even in the wake of unprecedented violence and vandalism at this capital, the elected representatives of the people of the United States have assembled again on the very same day to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. So may God bless the loss the injured and the heroes forged on this day. My God bless all who serve here and those who protect this place. And may God bless the United States of America. Let's get back to work. Very well explained to me. All right, I don't care. Mhm.

A collection of senators had planned to object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory in a futile effort to delay the inevitable. Then a mob of protesters broke into the Capitol.The stunning attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, egged on by a recent rally held by President Donald Trump, halted the day's planned activities. Elected representatives were forced into hiding as crowd's of people stormed the building and raided the offices of Congressmembers.Emerging form the chaos hours later, the events caused a change of plans, at least for some, who had started the day determined to obstruct Biden's certification.Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of Georgia, withdrew her objection following the violent events that transpired in the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. Loeffler, who was projected to lose her Senate seat to Raphael Warnock, had previously campaigned on her position of objecting the election results."When I arrived in Washington this morning, I fully intended to object to the certification of the electoral votes," Loeffler said. "However, the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider and I cannot now, in good conscience, object."Sens. James Lankford, of Oklahoma, and Steve Daines, of Montana, issued a joint statement on the chaos, calling it a "sad day for the country," and asked for Americans to rise above the violence. “We must, and we will, have a peaceful and orderly transition of power. The violent actions of these rioters severely damages efforts to restore confidence in our elections. We will continue our calls to examine election integrity through all legal and peaceful means.“We now need the entire Congress to come together and vote to certify the election results. We must stand together as Americans. We must defend our Constitution and the rule of law.”Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., also had a change of heart, saying the storming of the building did "change things drastically."“Whatever point you made before, that should suffice,” he told reporters. "Get this ugly day behind us."Tennessee Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who previously planned to join in the objections, rescinded those plans and will join in certifying the results.Still, while some had chosen to reverse course, others stood fast in their objections, if with a decidedly softer tone than likely planned.Freshman Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., questioned the legitimacy of Pennsylvania's electoral votes, though the Republican senator from Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey, has said he will not challenge it.Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, led the group of 11 senators who planned to object, calling for "an Electoral Commission to conduct an emergency audit to examine voter fraud allegations."Both Cruz and Hawley both voted "aye" to objecting the results.

A collection of senators had planned to object to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory in a futile effort to delay the inevitable.

Then a mob of protesters broke into the Capitol.

The stunning attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, egged on by a recent rally held by President Donald Trump, halted the day's planned activities. Elected representatives were forced into hiding as crowd's of people stormed the building and raided the offices of Congressmembers.

Emerging form the chaos hours later, the events caused a change of plans, at least for some, who had started the day determined to obstruct Biden's certification.

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of Georgia, withdrew her objection following the violent events that transpired in the U.S. Capitol Wednesday. Loeffler, who was projected to lose her Senate seat to Raphael Warnock, had previously campaigned on her position of objecting the election results.

"When I arrived in Washington this morning, I fully intended to object to the certification of the electoral votes," Loeffler said. "However, the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider and I cannot now, in good conscience, object."

Sens. James Lankford, of Oklahoma, and Steve Daines, of Montana, issued a joint statement on the chaos, calling it a "sad day for the country," and asked for Americans to rise above the violence.

“We must, and we will, have a peaceful and orderly transition of power. The violent actions of these rioters severely damages efforts to restore confidence in our elections. We will continue our calls to examine election integrity through all legal and peaceful means.

“We now need the entire Congress to come together and vote to certify the election results. We must stand together as Americans. We must defend our Constitution and the rule of law.”

Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., also had a change of heart, saying the storming of the building did ""

“Whatever point you made before, that should suffice,” he told reporters. "Get this ugly day behind us."

Tennessee Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who previously planned to join in the objections, rescinded those plans and will join in certifying the results.

NEWS: Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty will not be objecting (as previously planned), & will vote to certify the electoral results, per a source with knowledge.
— Al Weaver (@alweaver22)

Still, while some had chosen to reverse course, others stood fast in their objections, if with a decidedly softer tone than likely planned.

Freshman Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., questioned the legitimacy of Pennsylvania's electoral votes, though the Republican senator from Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey, has said he will not challenge it.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, led the group of 11 senators who planned to object, calling for "an Electoral Commission to conduct an emergency audit to examine voter fraud allegations."

Both Cruz and Hawley both voted "aye" to objecting the results.

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