Congress Accepts Electoral College Result, Clears Way for Biden To Become US President

By Staff, Agencies

Democrat Joe Biden was cleared to be sworn in as US president on January 20 when Vice President Mike Pence declared that Congress had confirmed the Electoral College tally of states’ results that showed Biden the winner of the November 3 contest against incumbent President Donald Trump.

The US House and Senate easily rejected a second challenge to the Electoral College votes for Biden, clearing the way for certification of his victory in the election.

The objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's Electoral College vote tallies were lodged as Congress met in a joint session on January 6 to formally count the results that was disrupted when a mob of Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol.

The crowd breached police lines and smashed its way into the building, including offices of lawmakers. One woman was shot and killed by Capitol Police.

Members of Congress abruptly suspended their work and eventually they were hustled out of the House and Senate chambers by security.

The House and Senate later resumed their joint session to deal with the challenges, which were defeated by substantial margins in both chambers, and finish the formal count.

A group of House Republican registered objections to Georgia, Michigan and Nevada as well. But in the wake of the shocking disruption, which lasted several hours, most GOP senators dropped the effort. Objections must come from a member of the House and the Senate to be valid.