Senate Republicans accept Joe Biden’s win: ‘Time for everybody to move on’
- Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump confirmed by US Electoral College
- Tally was finally enough for many Republicans to acknowledge reality
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Marianne Levine, Burgess Everett and Andrew Desiderio on politico.com on December 14, 2020.
Senate Republicans are finally starting to recognise Joe Biden as the next president of the United States – even if they waited until the very last minute.
When asked on Monday afternoon whether Biden was the president-elect, some Republican senators paused and asked how far along the Electoral College count was taking place that day. Others declined to comment until results were officially certified and until Biden climbed past the necessary 270 votes.
“I understand there are people who feel strongly about the outcome of this election,” said Senate Majority Whip John Thune, the second-ranking Senate Republican. “But in the end at some point you have to face the music. And I think that once the Electoral College settles the issue today, it’s time for everybody to move on.”
“There’s clearly a constitutional president-elect,” added Senator Roy Blunt, the No 4 Republican leader. Senator Rob Portman said “the Electoral College vote today makes clear that Joe Biden is now president-elect”. Senator Shelley Moore Capito agreed that “it’s time to turn the page and begin a new administration”. And Senator Mike Rounds was unequivocal: “Vice-President Biden is the president-elect based on the electoral count”.