In addition to the “dozens” of House Republicans who are committed to objecting to the election results, Brooks said there are “multiple” Senate Republicans who are now accepting the effort, although he declined to give names. Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Whom Trump has repeatedly praised on Twitter recently, has said he is considering the matter.
“More and more congressmen and senators are being persuaded that the election has been rigged, ”said Brooks, who claimed the pace of efforts was picking up.
Sen. John Thun (RSD), however, told reporters on Monday that the House GOP’s effort was “going down like a shit dog.”
Other members in attendance include some of Trump’s staunchest allies on the hill, such as Rep. Jodi Hayes (R-Ga.), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) And re. Elected Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.).
“Today is a big meeting with લRealDonaldTrump, @VP, the President’s legal team, ્રીFriedMacus and other members of Congress.” Hayes tweeted. “I will raise objections against Georgia voters on January 6. The courts refused to hear the president’s legal case. We make sure people can do this! “
But if a senator joins the House in trying to throw out the GOP’s election results – which are necessary to consider and vote on the issue – it is almost certain to fail.
The House is led by Democrats, while the Senate is headed by G.O.P. There is not a huge appetite for effort. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also warned Senate Republicans last week not to get involved. And House Minority Leader Kevin Marcarty has sunk questions about the impossible.
Still, the whole episode can be messy – and can be a test of Trump’s last loyalty. Brooks, who said he plans to challenge the results in six states, said the total time for discussion could be up to about 18 hours. This means that the counting process could take place on the evening of January 7.
During Monday’s meeting at the White House – where lawmakers ate meatballs and pork for breakfast in the middle of the day – Trump talked with members for an hour about how January would go. They discussed logistics, such as what offensive language would look like for each state and how floor procedures would work.
The group of dissidents is still debating whether the offensive language will be kept short or the detailed claims of widespread voter fraud, which they have not proven and which have been repeatedly rejected in court. And while only one senator and representative can be the main sponsor of each objection, many other legislators will be on the list of prospects because there are many members eager to get involved in the effort.
Meanwhile, the goal of the meeting with Pence was to ensure that they are all on the same page, as the Vice President will preside over the proceedings and rule on various objections and issues of proceedings.
“The legislators tried to make sure we understood what he thought of the procedural requirements, so we could comply,” Brooks said. “Pence will have a large amount of discretion, although I think the judgments he will make will be very cut and dry.”
Brooks added, “It’s still a little fluid, as it doesn’t happen very often.”
