TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y.—Republican Representative Tom Reed (NY-23) issued a statement Tuesday morning reiterating that he would not challenge the results of the 2020 Presidential election when Congress votes to certify the results of the Electoral College on Jan. 6.
Reed had previously congratulated Democratic nominee Joe Biden on his victory over incumbent Republican President Donald Trump when he was first declared the winner on Nov. 7, as absentee ballots carried several states for the Democratic candidate. While those absentee ballots have been fodder for objection from Republican voters, and several GOP members in elected office both local and national have risen myriad unproven allegations about voter fraud and election stealing, Biden is still set to take office later this month.
Trump has continued to stoke confusion over the election results in the last two months, albeit without much success in swaying the courts in his favor as he attempts to reverse his loss. He has still refused to concede, and a group of 13 Republican Senators have now said they will object to the election certification (although that would not be nearly enough to actually overturn the results).
Throughout that, though, Reed has remained steadfast that Biden won the election. After holding a town hall this week, he re-stated that he would “uphold the Constitution” and not object to certification. The House of Representatives, where Reed serves, is controlled by Democrats, so the real battle surrounds what will occur in the Senate.
The Constitution, however, makes clear Congress cannot overrule states and their designated electors.
I must be true to the oath I took to uphold the Constitution and will not object to any state’s electors tomorrow.(2/2)
— Tom Reed (@RepTomReed) January 5, 2021
Reed was one of the first Congressional figures to loan his support to Trump during the lead-up to the 2016 election, emerging as a powerful ally due to his place on the influential Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives. Reed’s support was rewarded with an appointment as the Vice Chair of Trump’s Transition Team as he prepared to take over the White House from outgoing President Barack Obama.