E14 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 6, 2021 suppress or steal any election should be in- dened to see many of my colleagues continue CONCERNS ABOUT THE CERTIFI- vestigated and prosecuted. to peddle these lies and falsehoods instead of CATION OF THE ELECTORAL Even if the nefarious activity was minor— supporting the peaceful transition of power en- COLLEGE VOTE and not likely to alter the outcome of an elec- shrined in our Constitution. tion—individuals who engage in such acts Our elections are among the safest and HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS should be held accountable in a court of law. most transparent in the world. For that, I want OF TENNESSEE Noone has a license to cheat. to thank the tens of thousands of Americans IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sixteen years ago, some Democratic mem- who work to secure our elections each and Wednesday, January 6, 2021 bers of the Senate and House tried to overturn every year, including Colorado’s elections offi- Mr. DESJARLAIS. Madam Speaker, I rise to the results of the Bush-Kerry Presidential elec- cials and workers who continue to exemplify a voice my concerns about the certification of tion. They failed. When counting the electoral successful mail-in voting system and workers votes on January 6, 2005, I voted ‘‘no’’ on the the Electoral College vote. for Dominion Voting Systems based in Colo- First, I think it is imperative to highlight the objection to accepting Ohio’s electors— rado. Unfortunately, due to these baseless at- enough to reverse the outcome of the elec- importance of how our nation’s elections are tacks on the election results, many of these conducted. I have received many calls, emails, tion—sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Tubbs election workers have been threatened and in- letters, and I have spoken to many of my con- Jones (D–Oh) because the allegations lacked timidated. Yet these poll workers did their duty stituents who are concerned about the irreg- both merit and proof. Only 31 Members of the and counted the votes, shepherding and over- ularities in the 2020 election cycle. House voted in favor of the election changing seeing one of the most fundamental and inte- Today, I have many concerns about our objection. gral pillars of our democracy—free, fair and most recent election, but my objection is fo- Congress, states and local governments open elections. cused on one primary constitutional question need to undertake a top-to-bottom review of Today, Congress resolves to complete our around changes to election laws made by election law and administrative polices to en- work in Joint Session to formally receive the state officials without the approval of their sure that elections are free and fair. votes of the Electors, which have not been state legislatures. This is, of course, a legal The future of our Nation depends on it. disputed by any state. Our job is not to over- question, concerning the constitutionality of Finally, I unequivocally condemn the assault turn the will of the voters or the states, it is last-minute election law changes made by ex- on the Capitol today. And those who com- simply to certify their decision on who will be ecutive orders without the approval of the mitted violence, vandalism and other crimes the next President and Vice President of the state legislatures. Article II, Section 1 includes should be prosecuted to the greatest extent of United States. I urge all my colleagues to re- the ‘‘Electors Clause,’’ stating: the law. ject these frivolous and dangerous objections Each State shall appoint, in such Manner Special thanks to the Capitol Police and all to the vote of the Electoral College and join as the Legislature thereof may direct, a law enforcement for their brave and decisive with the country in supporting the peaceful Number of Electors, equal to the whole Num- actions to mitigate and then end today’s crisis. transition of power. It’s time to get back to the ber of Senators and Representatives to which Despite its many flaws, the U.S. Congress business of the people and of the country as the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person continues to be an extraordinary marketplace we build a better future. of ideas and differing opinions. holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. The enactment of wise public policy to ben- f efit all Americans requires robust dialogue and There is no question that changes in state debate—and genuine respect for one another CONGRATULATING SUMMIT COUN- election laws were made by executive orders especially when there is fundamental dis- TY COMMISSIONER KARN without legislative approval (usually under the agreement. STIEGELMEIER ON HER RETIRE- guise of COVID) to allow for ballots to be al- We must be committed to zero-tolerance to- MENT lowed after deadlines had passed and mail-ins wards violence in any form. and absentees to be allowed under far more liberal circumstances which created an envi- f HON. JOE NEGUSE ronment that allowed ‘‘vote harvesting’’ and OBJECTION TO ELECTORAL OF COLORADO thousands of ballots to be counted days and COLLEGE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES weeks after the election—without the requisite standards of verification that we should expect Wednesday, January 6, 2021 HON. ED PERLMUTTER for a secure election. Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today I wish It is a valid constitutional question and I OF COLORADO to recognize and honor the work of retiring note a recent observation by Justice Gorsuch IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Summit County Commissioner Karn in an unrelated recently decided case between Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Stiegelmeier. Karn has continuously devoted the Brooklyn diocese and Governor Andrew Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I am much of her time and energy to maintaining Cuomo in New York on unlawful forced shut- filled with sadness and anger following the at- our beautiful public lands and environment in downs: tack on the U.S. Capitol today. It is the result Summit County, Colorado—a community I am ‘‘Government is not free to disregard the of a fever that has been building for weeks, so proud to represent. Prior to serving as a [Constitution] in times of crisis. Yet re- County Commissioner, she worked for the Na- cently, during the COVID pandemic, certain months and years and which has only been States seem to have ignored these long-set- further incited by President Trump. Today is a tional Forest Service and National Park Serv- tled principles.’’ ice, where she served in the crucial roles of point of inflection and reflection, and we need All of these issues are just some of the con- wildland firefighter and park ranger, and also to say enough. This only strengthens our re- cerns and questions regarding the 2020 elec- taught students in Summit County. solve to get the Electoral Votes counted and tion and were not limited to these three states. certified and continue with a peaceful transi- During her time as a Summit County Com- Many other concerns of voting irregularities tion of power, as has been a hallmark of our missioner, Karn continued to advocate for the have been reported across the country includ- nation. protection of our environment and was fiercely ing fraud and government officials changing The vote was decisive. Despite the ongoing determined to preserve the precious quality of state laws without legislature approval. pandemic, we saw a historic 158 million Amer- life we enjoy in Colorado. She also continu- These are serious concerns and allegations. icans vote. Joe Biden and KAMALA HARRIS ously advocated for forest health and wildfire It should be the state legislatures, and not won 306 votes in the Electoral College after prevention, both of which have helped Colo- government officials or judges, making earning the support of more than 81 million rado’s Second Congressional District in incal- changes to election laws. Americans. After 60 failed lawsuits and doz- culable ways. The timing of these election law changes is ens of recounts, there is not one shred of evi- She has truly shown an incredible deter- also problematic. In some states, changes dence of major fraud in this election. Yet ever mination to better her community, and I thank were made to state election laws during the since Joe Biden and KAMALA HARRIS won this her for her many years of service as County year of the election. These last-minute election, there has been a concerted effort to Commissioner. I am grateful for all the work changes only allow for confusion and chaos, overturn the will of the voters. These objec- Karn has done during her time as a Summit as we have seen since November 2020. tions are unfounded, absurd and dangerous. County Commissioner and wish her a restful From a global pandemic to one of the most They are contrary to 60 courts which denied and well-deserved retirement from public serv- consequential Presidential elections in our life- claims of fraud or vote improprieties. I am sad- ice. times, 2020 was a year of many unknowns. VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:40 Jan 08, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06JA8.017 E06JAPT1 ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS January 6, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E15 What should not be an unknown are the rules and limitations is a solution in search of unlawfully subverted. This is an unconstitu- laws and rules states have on implementing a problem and is unnecessary to conduct a tional act.