16 Texas Lawmakers Reject 2 States' Votes Critical To Biden Win

AUSTIN, TX — Even after a mob of pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to air their disenchantment over the presidential election outcome, 16 Texas members of Congress still voted to object to the counting of some Electoral College votes that helped secure the win for President-elect Joe Biden.

The nation's Capitol was breached by scores of rioters who interrupted a congressional certification of Electoral College votes from the November presidential election. Trump is accused of having instigated the mob's actions in calling for its ranks to march to the Capitol after he repeated false claims of electoral fraud in a speech preceding the breach.

The violence prompted several senators and representatives to drop their challenges to the vote. Yet more than a dozen Texas lawmakers remained in opposition to the election results after rioters breached the Capitol, interrupting validation of the vote. Among those remaining opposed to the results were several who continued to air false claims of electoral fraud to support their stance.

Leading the effort in objecting to the vote was U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who spearheaded the effort with his Missouri counterpart, Josh Hawley. Cruz supported his position in a prepared statement early Thursday morning before the count was certified even while condemning the mob action.

“The attack at the Capitol was a despicable act of terrorism and a shocking assault on our democratic system," Cruz wrote. "The Department of Justice should vigorously prosecute everyone who was involved in these brazen acts of violence. Now, we must come together and put this anger and division behind us. We must stand side by side as Americans. We must continue to defend our Constitution and the rule of law.

“That’s why my colleagues and I called for an electoral commission to give Americans confidence in this past election and in elections going forward. Millions of Americans who have peacefully expressed their deep concerns regarding election integrity deserve to have their voices heard. It was the right thing to do."

Fifteen other lawmakers joined Cruz in opposing the presidential election's results after rioters breached the nation's capital:

• Jodey Arrington (Lubbock)
• Brian Babin (Woodville)
• Michael Burgess (Pilot Point)
• John Carter (Round Rock)
• Michael Cloud (Victoria)
• Pat Fallon (Sherman)
• Louie Gohmert (Tyler)
• Lance Gooden (Terrell)
• Ronny Jackson (Amarillo)
• Troy Nehls (Richmond)
• August Pfluger (San Angelo)
• Pete Sessions (Waco)
• Randy Weber (Friendswood)
• Roger Williams (Austin)
• Ron Wright (Arlington)

Like Cruz, Austin representative Williams condemned the mob violence even while defending his stance in opposing the election outcome. On Thursday, Williams released a lengthy prepared statement justifying his stance. He first condemned the violent breach at the U.S. Capitol that interrupted congressional certification of Electoral College votes:

"Yesterday’s cowardly attack on our American democracy was a heinous act. While Congress attempted to execute their constitutional duty to debate and vote on the certification of the electoral college, violence interrupted the proceedings in an attempt to stop the democratic process. Those who committed these acts are domestic terrorists and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I thank the Capitol Police and all of the law enforcement organizations that pushed back against the mob."

By the next paragraph, Williams threw the outcome of the November election into question in justifying his vote:

“The American people deserve full transparency in the electoral process, with confidence that any irregularities or inconsistencies in that process will be fully investigated. As a former Texas Secretary of State, I know the electoral process well, and above all I know what the courts, the executive branch and elections officials can and cannot do without approval by the state legislature. During my tenure, I knew that my authority was confined to the powers the legislature provided me. If states fail to abide by the Constitution and follow their own laws, it calls into question whether the votes in Texas or any other state are fairly represented. And now, as a duly elected Member of Congress, the Constitution outlines my rights to speak and voice my constituents’ concerns with my vote."

Still, Williams said his vote to not certify the presidential election was not an effort to overturn the results: “It’s pivotal that we have free and fair elections in our representative democracy, and more importantly, that we trust in the results of those elections. In no way is voicing an objection an attempt to overturn an election, and when this process is complete and all objections have been heard, I acknowledge that we will have a peaceful transfer of power on Jan. 20, 2021."