President-elect Donald Trump was certified by Congress on Monday, the final step before he’s inaugurated into office Jan. 20.
Although there wasn’t nearly as much drama as certification day four years ago, resulting in a riot at the U.S. Capitol, Wyoming’s congressional delegation said the day is still noteworthy and worthy of celebration.
“For four years the people of Wyoming have suffered from skyrocketing prices at the grocery store and gas pump thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s runaway spending,” U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis said in a statement. “The American people spoke out strongly in November, overwhelmingly electing President Trump and choosing a new direction for our country.
“I was honored to help certify their decision today, and I look forward to working with President Trump to make our nation strong again.”
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman said she’s optimistic for the future under a second term for Trump.
“His unwavering commitment to restoring American greatness has inspired millions, and I am confident that together, we can reverse the damage done by the Biden-Harris Administration and achieve remarkable progress,” she said. “Now more than ever, Congress must work alongside the president to pass the Republican agenda that reflects the will of the people.”
Sen. John Barrasso said on Fox News on Monday morning that Trump’s inauguration day “can’t come soon enough.”
“We want to get President Trump back in office, get America back on track,” Barrasso said. “That’s what the American people voted for, that’s what we’re going to certify here today in Congress.”
Barrasso said the biggest upcoming priority will be confirming Trump’s cabinet picks as quickly as possible.
How It Went
Democrats made no objections during the counting of the Electoral College votes Monday. Vice President Kamala Harris did not dispute her election loss and presided over the certification of her own loss without interruption.
“Today I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath I have taken many times to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” she told reporters after the certification.
The only division in Congress on Monday was partisan, with only Republicans applauding after the counting of each state Trump won. They also rose at the end of the certification for a standing ovation when it was announced that he had secured a majority of the electoral votes, while only Democrats clapped for the states that Harris won and rose to applaud when her total electoral votes were announced.
In 2021, Lummis and other Republicans objected to the certification of President Joe Biden’s win, expressing a desire for Congress to appoint an Electoral Commission to conduct an emergency 10-day audit of the 2020 election returns in disputed states. Barrasso did not object to the certification results.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
