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Garbarino Issues Statement on Jan. 6th Joint Session of Congress

January 6, 2021

WASHINGTON – Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-2) issued the following statement on today’s joint session of Congress:

“The U.S. Constitution grants state legislatures the sole authority to enact election laws in their states. In many states, including in my home state of New York, election laws were changed without the consent of those states’ respective legislatures. Governors, Secretaries of States, election workers, and judges usurped the legislatures’ role and implemented unconstitutional changes to the election process.

I proudly served in the New York Assembly for eight years, where I witnessed the Governor and members of the Executive Branch time and time again circumvent the state legislature with overzealous executive orders and regulations. Just as Members of Congress are elected to uphold the constitution, state legislatures are elected by the people to uphold their state constitutions. We cannot continue to let unelected bureaucrats disenfranchise our legislative system, both at the state and federal level. It is because of these changes that millions of Americans and many Long Islanders have lost faith in the electoral system. My number one priority is to restore trust and integrity to our democratic process.

However, the role of Congress is not to overturn the election or to take actions that silence voters. The Constitution is clear, the votes must be counted and certified by the states and Congress has the constitutional obligation to accept those electors and certify each states’ elections. All 50 states have certified their elections and the majority of electors have cast their votes for President-Elect Joe Biden. While I join many Long Islanders in wishing the results were different, Congress does not have the constitutional authority to overturn the election.

The great people of New York’s 2nd Congressional District entrusted me to represent them in Congress, which is why on January 3, 2021, I took an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. Because of this oath, I will not object the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

What we witnessed today at the U.S. Capitol was un-American and a direct threat to our democracy. I fully condemn the actions of those who stormed the Capitol – these criminals who put the lives of our brave men and women in law enforcement in danger must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are a country of law and order and I urge you all to join me in praying for the soul of our nation. I am grateful to the Capitol Police and various law enforcement agencies for working hard to keep us safe in the People’s House.

America is the greatest country in the history of the world; based on the unwavering faith in the ideals set forth by our Constitution. It is imperative that my colleagues and I on both sides of the aisle work together to ensure that what happened today never happens again in our country.”

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Issues:Congress