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Senator Josh Hawley continues to defend his indefensible behavior of 10 days ago. The indented part below is an oped published by Senator Hawley in the Southeast Missourian Thursday. Responses are my own.
Last week I objected during the Joint Session count of electoral votes in order to have a debate on the issue of election integrity.
This is the key point, and right out of the gate, he is confessing his error. Senator Hawley is free to ask for a debate on the issue of election integrity. He is free to stand on the floor of the Senate and give a speech about election integrity. But the question about his behavior was whether it was appropriate or even legal to object to the counting of the electoral votes in order to have a debate about election integrity. The clear answer — legally — was that it was not.
My objection proceeded according to the letter of the statute, which specifically permits for objections and debate, and followed the traditions of Congress.
Yes, it permits for “objections and debate,” but they must be related to a question that Congress might appropriately consider. Given the law…
