Congressional Record/Volume 167/Issue 4/House/Counting Electoral Votes/Pennsylvania Objection Debate/Neguse Speech
Mr. Neguse. Madam Speaker, to my colleague from Pennsylvania, I will say this: I carry the same Constitution that you do. And the Constitution, sir, does not allow you, me, or any Member of this body to substitute our judgment for that of the American people. It does not allow us to disregard the will of the American people. Because under this Constitution, under our Constitution, Congress doesn’t choose the President. The American people do. And they have chosen in resounding numbers, as every single Member of this body well understands.
Madam Speaker, I have been at a loss to explain what happened today, but there is a statement that I found that largely summarized my thoughts on the matter.
“The scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nation’s government” are a “sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic, not our democratic Republic. I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement. The violent assault on the Capitol, and the disruption of a constitutionally mandated meeting of Congress, was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes. Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and our reputation.
“In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law. To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: Our country is more important than the politics of the moment.”
□ 0030
Those are not my words. Those are the words of former Republican President George W. Bush.
To my colleagues, it is after midnight tonight. It has been a long day for our country, a long day for our Republic.
Let us dispense with this. Let’s do the right thing. Let’s honor our oath. Let’s certify the results, and let’s get back to the work of the American people.