WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – In a Joint Session of Congress, lawmakers officially certified the 2024 general election results Monday. Exactly four years after riots at the Capitol delayed the certification of lawful election results, the process moved along smoothly this year.
A snowy day in Washington saw the counting of electoral votes regain a sense of normalcy. After chaos and bloodshed derailed election certification four years ago – the process smoother this time around.
Senators and Representatives gathered in the House to officially confirm Donald Trump’s electoral victory in November 312-226. Presiding over proceedings was his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, in her official duty as President of the Senate.
“This announcement of the state of the vote by the president of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected president and vice president of the United States,” said Vice President Harris.
Law requires Congress to certify the election on January 6. In response to efforts to overturn the lawful results in 2021, Congress passed the Electoral Count Reform Act which confirmed the vice president’s role in this process is ceremonial, also making it harder for each chamber to challenge results.
No challenges were lodged Monday, nor were there riots on Capitol grounds.
The next step for Donald Trump, of course, Inauguration Day on January 20, which is expected to be the final step in the smooth, peaceful transfer of power.
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