Cowboy State Daily
Cheney Denounces Republican Plan to Challenge Electoral College Results
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney is criticizing a Republican plan to challenge the results of the Electoral College on January 6.
This story first appeared on Cowboy State Daily
U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney is criticizing a Republican plan to challenge the results of the Electoral College on January 6.
In a 21-page memo sent to House Republicans, Cheney said there was no “appropriate basis” for such an action.
“Such objections set an exceptionally dangerous precedent, threatening to steal states’ explicit constitutional responsibility for choosing the President and bestowing it instead on Congress. This is directly at odds with the Constitution’s clear text and our core beliefs as Republicans,” she wrote.
She said the idea of forming an electoral commission to conduct an emergency audit of election returns was even “more problematic.”
“It is not reasonable to anticipate that any commission so formed could wrap up its work in 10 days; indeed, the subsequent debate at both the state and federal level would likely require months,” she said.
“Did those proposing a new commission realize that they were in essence proposing to delay the inauguration?” she asked. “Did they mean to set up a new future precedent where the inaugural is delayed and we have an ‘Acting President?’”
“For how long? Who decides when that process is over? Will that require another Act of Congress? Could the Acting President veto any such future Congressional action?”
Newly sworn-in U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis on Saturday announced she was joining a group of 11 other U.S. senators in challenging the electoral results.
“We intend to vote on January 6 to reject the electors from disputed states as not ‘regularly given’ and ‘lawfully certified’ (the statutory requisite), unless and until that emergency 10-day audit is completed,” the group said in a statement.
The following is an excerpt of Cheney’s memo:
[T]here is substantial reason for concern about the precedent Congressional objections will set here.
By objecting to electoral slates, members are unavoidably asserting that Congress has the authority to overturn elections and overrule state and federal courts.
Such objections set an exceptionally dangerous precedent, threatening to steal states’ explicit constitutional responsibility for choosing the President and bestowing it instead on Congress.
This is directly at odds with the Constitution’s clear text and our core beliefs as Republicans. Democrats have long attempted, unconstitutionally, to federalize every element of our nation—including elections.
Republicans should not embrace Democrats’ unconstitutional position on these issues.
The recent proposal for a new “Commission” is even more problematic. It is not reasonable to anticipate that any commission so formed could wrap up its work in 10 days; indeed, the subsequent debate at both the state and federal level would likely require months.
Did those proposing a new commission realize that they were in essence proposing to delay the inaugural?
Did they mean to set up a new future precedent where the inaugural is delayed and we have an “Acting President?” For how long? Who decides when that process is over? Will that require another Act of Congress?
Could the Acting President veto any such future Congressional action? If Congress has authority to create such a commission now, are state elections, recounts and state law legal challenges just “make-work” until Congress gets around to investigating and deciding who should be President?
Members who support the new commission proposal may need to answer each of these questions. And in particular, Members should be prepared to answer how such a commission would be justified by the actual text of our founding documents.
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Charles Cole
January 4, 2021 at 9:58 am
Very interesting and not a little Freudian that she would write that this action threatens to “steal” states’ rights to name electors. In fact, the alternate slates of electors are being sent by the states themselves since they know that the courts have failed to redress what is so obvious a fraud that, as one PA state senator said “even Stevie Wonder could see this.” I suggest people keep their powder dry until the Republican senators present what will apparently be a comprehensive package of solid evidence to the Congress on Wednesday — evidence which every court except one appellate court in PA refused to grant the Trump lawyers even a hearing on the merits of. Ultimately, I would ask Ms. Cheney, “If Congress will not help defrauded state legislatures to right a wrong which the courts have cowardly refused to set right, what, then is left as a remedy to an election so wrought with fraud that it can’t and shouldn’t even be taken seriously?” I plan to ask her that question in writing. I’ll share with SM her answer. Meanwhile, I urge everyone to watch the congressional session Wednesday. Those of you on this board who have been loudly proclaiming that there was no fraud might even learn the truth for a change.
ray olson
January 4, 2021 at 12:42 pm
I know that Hell has officially frozen over because I find myself in agreement (probably for the only time) with Ms. Cheney. Please Mr. Cole, I’m sure I’m not the only one who is really bored with your Lilliputian logic. Just because you and all your peculiar friends say a thing doesn’t make it true. Actually you might benefit from reading Swift .
Charles Cole
January 4, 2021 at 3:14 pm
And you, Mr. Olson, might benefit from reading some history. If you have time, check out the congressional commission of 1877 which dealt with an eerily similar (and also fraudulent) Democrat attempt to steal the 1876 election. Better yet, if you can summon any amount of objectivity and intestinal fortitude to just sit quietly and observe while FACTS are presented, tune in to C-SPAN Wednesday at 11:00 (our time) and watch, learn, and listen. I know you’d rather not, given your preference (along with YOUR “peculiar friends”) to simply belch forth the pablum from your leftwing echo chambers. But, really, try for perhaps the first time in your life to put away the meaningless, vapid, and feckless ad hominem attacks (e.g. calling my logic “Lilliputian”) and instead watch and listen as people much, much more knowledgeable about government and the law outline the factual trail of evidence as to this so-called “election.” It might even be an educational experience for you, provided it’s not too late.
ray olson
January 4, 2021 at 4:46 pm
In 1877 the kkk was clearly interfering with the election as was tammany hall ballots were destroyed voters were lynched and the final outcome was to cave into people who calle dthe election fraudulent and cut a deal to allow Jim Crow to be the law of the land – is that what you’re hoping for here?
Harriett Oleson
January 4, 2021 at 6:53 pm
Ray, as a long time watcher of Charley’s work, I can assure it is a waste of time to engage with him. His vitriolic, big word posts are meant to do two things: #1 impress himself and #2 advance a image of himself to impress others. He will now attack me, with long words and a pseudo knowledge of history that is invented & twisted in his mind. When you attack me Charley, be aware, I could care less because I understand you.
Charles Cole
January 5, 2021 at 9:29 am
Yawn.
Harriett Oleson
January 5, 2021 at 11:40 am
Always demeaning Chucky, it is your only weapon.
Charles Cole
January 4, 2021 at 8:44 pm
What I’m hoping for is justice. Just watch the hearing on Wednesday, if you dare.
Jim Nelson
January 4, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Not a single state legislature sent an alternate set of electors. That is complete fiction.
Ron Howard
January 4, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Really appreciate Rep. Cheney’s position on this issue. It’s good to hear that some legislators still value the Constitution above the quickly devolving state of American political banter. I don’t always agree with Cheney’s statements, but she has my whole-hearted support and thanks today.
Harriett Oleson
January 4, 2021 at 6:57 pm
Agree 100% Ron. Cheney seems to realize she is an American Legislator, not just a member of a political party. How refreshing for either side of the aisle.
Olivia Maxwell
January 7, 2021 at 3:22 pm
Wow you people have gone mad,,,supporting Liz Cheney and her deplorable and cowardly inability to represent the voice of the people is unacceptable.
Election fraud is what she is supporting. It is not longer a free republic when our representatives choose to support lawlessness. Don’t bother to vote or campaign because the elections are all rigged and our country is falling and has been falling under dictatorship,, all of you people that will not stand up and support our wonderful USA had better learn to speak Chinese ,,because China is your new leader… may god have mercy on your souls ..
Cindy Livingston
January 7, 2021 at 9:00 pm
Constitutional rule of law states that State Legislatures are the only entity that can change laws concerning the State’s voting. How does setting aside that law show that she values the Constitution? The Congress just gave Pennsylvania a pass , and have set a precedent that whatever a State wants to do is ok, also including counting more votes than registered voters and certifying a fraudulent election! A State that does not follow Constitutional law , does not get the voices of their constituents heard, period. Then they lose their jobs in the next election which would likely follow the rule of law to the letter.
D'Ann Naugle
January 8, 2021 at 9:20 am
I would hope that Sheridan Media would give equal time and space to Cynthia Lummis, who did vote to give a 10 day time period to access voter fraud information and direct violation of Constitutional law stating that State Legislatures only have the power to change voting laws. People want to hear both sides of this issue not only Liz Cheney, an obvious Trump non supporter for the last 4 years.