Congress to reconvene Wednesday night to continue Electoral College count after riot at Capitol

Joey Garrison and Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a joint session of Congress will reconvene Wednesday night to count the Electoral College votes confirming President-elect Joe Biden's win after rioters rushed the U.S. Capitol and brought proceedings to a standstill earlier in the day.

In a letter to House members, Pelosi called the violence from supporters of President Donald Trump at the Capitol "a shameful assault" on American democracy that was "anointed at the highest level of government."

"It cannot, however, deter us from our responsibility to validate the election of Joe Biden," she said, adding that she's consulted with House Democratic leaders, the Justice Department and Vice President Mike Pence. "We have decided we should proceed tonight at the Capitol once it is cleared for use."

"We always knew this responsibility would take us into the night. The night may still be long but we are hopeful for a shorter agenda, but our purpose will be accomplished."

Multiple media outlets reported the House and Senate would resume proceedings at 8 p.m. ET but that had not been confirmed by Congressional leadership.

More: President-elect Joe Biden calls Capitol riot ‘insurrection,’ urges President Trump to ‘end siege’

The U.S. Capitol has been secured, according to lawmakers.

But one key unresolved question is whether the Republicans who were in the midst of objecting to the Electoral College count – dragging out the process -- would drop their plans or persist.

Several of the objectors – including Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri – were spotted meeting separately from other senators who had been moved to the undisclosed location.

Asked if there was any resolution on how to move forward, GOP Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana responded “not yet,” according to pooled reports from a journalist on the Hill.

Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol's Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol's Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification.

In the House, a​​​​​​t least one Republican said she would drop her objections after the attack on the Capitol.

"I have decided I will vote to uphold the Electoral College results and I encourage Donald Trump to condemn and put an end to this madness," said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. “What happened today and continues to unfold in the nation’s capital is disgraceful and un-American.”

Pelosi advised House members and staff to remain on the Capitol complex until they are notified by the United States Capitol Police. She said further guidance will be provided later.

Lawmakers earlier said they're prepared to meet again as soon as the Capitol is cleared. A citywide curfew went into effect in Washington, D.C., at 6 p.m ET. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies are outside on the Capitol complex, but only 13 arrests have been made.

"We have stopped the coup attempt and will be returning to the Capitol today to finish the business of the people," Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., posted on Twitter late Wednesday afternoon.

Federal law requires a joint session of Congress meet on Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. after every presidential election to count the Electoral College votes submitted by states. But the law does not contemplate a delay in proceedings. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

More: Pro-Trump rioters breach Capitol, forcing lockdown; one person shot; Pence evacuated, Senate chamber cleared out

Even before the violence at the capitol building, the session was shaping up to be a marathon with Republican lawmakers objecting to electoral votes from perhaps six or more states.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., said he's "confident" that Congress will be able to reconvene Wednesday night.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., told reporters he intends to go to his Senate office as soon as everything is cleared.

"And then I'll be back down, but we're going to go back and do our business," Manchin said. "We're going to finish tonight. Everyone is committed to staying whatever it takes to get our job done."

Rep. Jim Clyburn, the House’s No. 3 Democratic leader, echoed the sentiment.

“Tonight, Congress will continue the business of certifying the electoral college votes,” he said in a Tweet Wednesday evening.

The federal law outlining the Electoral College counting proceedings does not say Congress has to meet inside their regular chambers.

According to lawmakers, the U.S. Capitol has been secured and lawmakers are gathered in an undisclosed location.

"House Sergeant at Arms just informed us that the Capitol has been cleared," reported Matt Fuller, a Huffington Post journalist who is in an undisclosed place with more than 100 lawmakers and staff. "We’ve been sheltering in place for about two hours here," he said, receiving intermittent updates about the breach.

Staff reporter Deirdre Shesgreen contributed to this report. Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Electoral College vote stopped, unclear when it will resume after riot

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