READ: Sen. Tom Cotton’s statement on opposing plan to challenge electoral votes


Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas)

The following is a statement released by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) explaining why he opposes a move to challenge electoral votes at this week’s joint session of Congress.

“I share the concerns of many Arkansans about irregularities in the presidential election, especially in states that rushed through election-law changes to relax standards for voting-by-mail. I also share their disappointment with the election results. I therefore support a commission to study the last election and propose reforms to protect the integrity of our elections. And after Republicans win in Georgia, the Senate should also hold more hearings on these matters. All Americans deserve to have confidence in the elections that undergird our free government.

Nevertheless, the Founders entrusted our elections chiefly to the states—not Congress. They entrusted the election of our president to the people, acting through the Electoral College—not Congress. And they entrusted the adjudication of election disputes to the courts—not Congress. Under the Constitution and federal law, Congress’s power is limited to counting electoral votes submitted by the states.

If Congress purported to overturn the results of the Electoral College, it would not only exceed that power, but also establish unwise precedents. First, Congress would take away the power to choose the president from the people, which would essentially end presidential elections and place that power in the hands of whichever party controls Congress. Second, Congress would imperil the Electoral College, which gives small states like Arkansas a voice in presidential elections. Democrats could achieve their longstanding goal of eliminating the Electoral College in effect by refusing to count electoral votes in the future for a Republican president-elect. Third, Congress would take another big step toward federalizing election law, another longstanding Democratic priority that Republicans have consistently opposed.

Thus, I will not oppose the counting of certified electoral votes on January 6. I’m grateful for what the president accomplished over the past four years, which is why I campaigned vigorously for his reelection. But objecting to certified electoral votes won’t give him a second term—it will only embolden those Democrats who want to erode further our system of constitutional government.”


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52 thoughts on “READ: Sen. Tom Cotton’s statement on opposing plan to challenge electoral votes”

  1. He supports a commission to study election fraud – wow – that is monumentally unimpressive. And we don’t have “concerns” about the election; we are fecking furious. What a coward he is!

    1. Maybe Mr Cotton could set up a commission to understand what the constitution says about entrusting the state LEGISLATURES. with establishing each states’ rules for selecting electors.
      What would congress do if by decree, a governor overruled which electors would be allowed to vote?
      Would congress count the votes of those electors that were sent in violation of the laws created by the state legislature and not disqualify them?
      When one state’s leaders don’t follow the laws, then only those leaders bear the responsibility of disenfranchising those states’ voters and not the congress that rejected those votes.

      1. Another commission. Tell me one thing that has ever came out of a political commission other than a lot of money spent time wasted It’s all show. Nothing of value comes out of a commission. If, repeat IF, they come close to finding any wrongdoing they shut it down and start saying we were getting nowhere.

    2. Senator Cotton represents Walmart, not the voters of Arkansas! Where does Walmart get the majority of the products sold in their stores? Why China, of course! Cotton knows Biden will open the USA to China manufacturing companies and that will benefit a big money contributors with connections to Walmart. Say goodbye to the manufacturing jobs made possible by President Trump, say hello to increased unemployment numbers!

      1. Thank you for giving me another reason to be sorry I ever voted for Cotton. He is fake news, a shell of a person. A façade. He has hidden his never Trump agenda so well it was surprising to me when he recited his ridiculous excuse.
        Another Liz Cheney bites the dust. Soon.

  2. He’s wrong. Under the 12th amendment the VP (president of the senate) does have the authority to accept legal or reject electoral votes he deems aren’t legal.

  3. Sen Cotton is wrong. If we don’t hold them accountable, they will be emboldened and we will never clean it up. Do it now or be complicit in an appointed corrupt government. There will be hell to pay. The citizens I talk to are believing there will be a civil war. I will watch all of you and your compatriots to see if you stand for truth or are you part of the problem. The problem is deeply entrenched in our country, what’s your plan???

  4. Sen. Cotton, seriously misunderstands the sentiment of conservatives! The Constitutional laws are not being upheld! Partisan judiciary has played a terrible role along with corrupt State officials! Essentially a handful of people have subverted our Constitution and the will of the nation!
    Allowing this election fraud to stand is an unprecedented action that history will show to be the beginning of the end of our Republic!
    I will never vote GOP and will fight the treachery of Democrats!

  5. Very disappointed in Sen Cotton. By the time the cheating is investigated with his commission, the people will be stuck with an illegitimate president.

    1. Jhoanne, C O R R E C T ! :

      =================

      Dominion
      Audit
      Results :

      https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/redacted-information-in-dominion-audit-report-shows-races-were-flipped-analyst_3625228.html?amp

      “In the audit, Ramsland said his team concluded Dominion’s voting system ‘is intentionally and purposefully designed with inherent errors to create systemic fraud and influence election results.’

      “ ‘The system intentionally generates an enormously high number of ballot errors. The electronic ballots are then transferred for adjudication. The intentional errors lead to bulk adjudication of ballots with no oversight, no transparency, and no audit trail. This leads to voter or election fraud. Based on our study, we conclude that the Dominion Voting System should not be used in Michigan. We further conclude that the results of Antrim County should not have been certified,’ he added in the report.”

      =================

      -Rick

  6. I would say to Mr. Cotton. The founders did leave these things to the States and the Courts, but they did not say you could not voice opinion in your loudest voice or participate in protest with your colleagues to show support for the cause and effort to find the truth ASAP. If left alone and wait for committees to find answers it will be years. The country does not have that kind of time. If your scared, say your scared and move over and let someone with a little courage take over.

  7. Our Republic is almost over…. we’re a divided country and I WILL NOT, bow down to the new King George (Soros) and his Deep State government!

  8. “Studies” are lame and only cost money…especially when nothing EVER gets done! How about we investigate BEFORE making the decision. Cotton, you have disappointed the American people. We thought you had balls, but obviously, they are kept in the purse of your democrat partners. I will continue to remind people of ALL THOSE who were not with us in this fight…We will NOT GO Quietly!

  9. That was gobbledegook! Has he read section 12 that describes how this should proceed? There has to be an accounting before there is an inauguration.. we can study this mid appropriation of voting procedures once President Trump is inaugurated.
    Tom Cotton is not showing character!

  10. There have been a coup d’état attempt Against President Of United States from the day he stepped in the office. Collaboration of FBI CIA Justice Department Media is obvious. If court Senate congress don’t get involved we the people have to exercise our second amendment. Establish new Congress new Senate.
    With no lobbyist, no long-term senator or congressman.
    national security secret, Must be outlaw. If not one nation under God with liberty and justice for all is parish

  11. The Congress does have a play in this election as it has done in earlier years. I like Cotton for the most part, but on this he is incorrect.

  12. I am disappointed that I voted for you. That will not be a mistake I make again!
    Theft of any election has to be looked into and corrected if found illegal. I want all legal votes counted!!! Next time is too late for our country and all legal voters!!!!

  13. So in other words, Senator Cotton, those states breaking the constitutional laws mandated to the legislatures is ok. The Congress is allowed to object to those laws that are being broken. Either way, I do not want a president who cheated to get in. The courts are throwing out cases left and right because they have no merit! You and I both know that that is utter nonsense! Go re-read article 2 of the constitution. ‘We The People” have the exclusive right to bear arms against a tyrannical government. This is exactly why this election shall not stand!

  14. Well , I disagree with the senator, if his state was being contested he would also be requesting an investigation, and if he had lost his election because of fraud, he too would be more active in “justice” but since he “got his” that’s all he cares about as do the other non participating members!
    If nothing is pursued no election is will ever be deemed legit!

  15. Tom Cotton is but another GOP politician who never fights the real battles … you can’t oppose a fraudulent election? (sugar coating it with the use of the term “irregularities” is what Democrats do). If one can’t stand against this atrocity then what can we expect in the future? The DEMs blatant activities demonstrate what lengths they will go to in order to seize power so saying anything will emboldened them is a ludicrous conclusion. They don’t need any excuse to be lawless and since it looks like they are getting away with it, then again the GOP finding a way to surrender thus just continues the cycle. No way I’m contributing to any GOP politician who doesn’t take a stand now so looks like I’ll save myself quite a few dollars in 2024 … if we even have a Republic standing by then.

  16. So another words you are teaching people it’s ok to lie… steal…and cheat… instead of trying to right a wrong you are making this ok. The Electoral votes are one big lie. Our votes should count for more then what they do. We feel cheated if you let this go things will never be the same. Donald J Trump won this election fair and square!

  17. So Mr Cotton, you’re saying… it’s ok that the dem’s cheated and won THIS election. Let’s go ahead and let them have it, BUT let’s do a study to see how they cheated so we will know before the next election, right? Is this what you’re saying?

    I think you just secured a position as a nominee for the democratic party!

  18. What gutless statements made Mr Cotton of Arkansas. If he could reach between his legs and feel to see if he on fact has no balls, he should leave the work that he was elected to do, to someone else with the balls to stand up for what’s right. Had it been his election, you can bet your ass he would then.

  19. To the senator cotton they did not rush though election law changes they illegally changed the election law and that is a big difference and that is where your job picks up

  20. So, when the fraud & subsequent cover-up (files erased) is revealed & acknowledged, which it will be, what exactly is the consequence &/or remedy?

  21. I understand the fear of what if’s however , what would it matter if elections allow such election fraud . Then elections would be lost or won by the whoever is the biggest fraud . We need to have this fight and reconciliation NOW before it’s too late

  22. The constitution is under attack NOW! There won’t be a constitution to ‘erode’ if you don’t do your duty. For God’s Sake Mr., do your job.

  23. This election, with all its “irregularities”, is EXACTLY the type of situation the framers envisioned may happen. This, they created a mechanism is the Constitution to deal with it, and the Republicans objection are using that mechanism.
    And yes, Sen. Cotten, the framers did essentially leave the issue of the election to the states; the state LEGISLATURES, not the state courts and not the state’s Governors.

  24. Senator Cotton, you are completely wrong! If we let them steal the Presidential election they will come after you and your next election! How much are you willing to pay the evil crooks behind this plot to ruin our election integrity, just so you can hold your seat?

  25. You should only accept the certified Electoral Votes if they are LEGAL. If they are presented fraudulently, then you should ABSOLUTELY reject them!
    By NOT rejecting them, knowing that the Democrats want to abolish the Electoral College system, you are going to end up with no say at all for your own electorate.
    Have you actually thought this through? This all seems like weakness and double-speak to me.

  26. Just another corrupt politician. If he feels there’s fraud he should stand up for it. I’m believing some of these people have something to hide, or they’d all want to investigate and find the truth.

  27. It is ok with you Senator Cotton that what you FEAR is accomplished by fraud! Our founding fathers prepared a remedy for such as this election. Our constitution is trampled when we allow people to take office by fraud. I remember Al Franken went to the senate by the very same means as the fraud in this election. Also done by demicRATS. And you are a partner to their crime against America! You deserve to be recalled!

  28. Tom Cotton is a Typical Republican Coward! If Election Integrity is not confronted now, the Dems will not need to challenge the Certification of the Electoral College ever again,Tom! They simply turn over all the elections going forward to Dominion Voting systems, Mark Zuckerberg, & the CCP! Presto, Magico, Dems & CCP win in perpetuity! Grow a pair Tom Cotton, stop the steal! Election integrity Now!

  29. I am so disappointed in you, Senator Cotton. I have watched you for years and considered you one of the true patriots in the Senate. You are no different than any other feckless politician. The country I love so much and the integrity it stands for to less fortunate countries, has been thrown under the bus by you. Disappointed, and sadly surprised.

  30. So heads they win, tails we lose, according to Cotton. They cheated but if we fight it we’re wrong because they might fight to block our next win. But, if we don’t fight now, there won’t be a next time for us, ever.

  31. Cotton is rotten. He is making excuses for challenging in the Senate which is another firewall of protectection provided in the constitution. It’s amazing how many cowards are afraid to check the evidence which, no doubt, is why our founding fathers provided a few options to address.

  32. The problem with Republicans is they always want to move on and get issues behind us instead of taking a stand right now and fighting for what’s right. Too many weasels giving us lip service to get elected, but then governing as swamp creatures going along with the DC culture. If we can’t unify over a clearly stolen election then many of us aren’t going to support the Republican Party any longer. What’s the point?

  33. He’s a coward. If voter fraud has disenfranchised American voters in other states , then why would members of congress do what they can to rectify it? We’re supposed to accept fraud just because you don’t think it’s in the constitution , senator?

  34. If “ certify“ meant to count votes and rubberstamp it, the constitution would not have required Congress to do that. A clerk could do that. The constitution meant that Congress would be the final verification that this was a legal election without fraud, which of course we know it is NOT.

  35. Senator Cotton has landed on the wrong side of this issue. Unfortunately, by being cautious instead of bold, he has sadly eliminated himself from any future Presidential consideration. It will forever haunt him. I make this prediction based on the many social media outlets I follow. The negative reaction from Conservatives like myself far outweighs the positive comments. Too bad for him, he was one of the good guys…

  36. If there is a process to investigate voter fraud and objecting to the January 6th electoral votes is that procedure, then you Senator Cotton need to get on board.

  37. Lovetra Sullivant

    Representative Cotton; Your Interpretation, Mr, Cotton sounds fair until you add the word of charges “Fraud” into this election. When it now appears that one state counted more than 200,000 votes more than there were registered voters. How can that be rated as Acceptable? I live in CA and lost my husband in 2018. HE VOTED this year! He was sent, to our address an absentee ballot. One he requested several years ago due to frailties, but evidently he was sent two. After the election I got curious. I took the ballot to the clerk’s office and discovered he was on the rolls and voted. Why was that? There is voter fraud in ALL of our states.
    Unfortunately, I do believe when our founders wrote the constitution, they had every good intention, through checks and balances, to protect its longevity for all time and tried to protect it and our country into eternity. Unfortunately they only had the power to truly see into that future so far and the wording in our times doesn’t cover language changes and advanced technology but intent is still there.
    However, if you have brought out a true interpretation, then it is up to you to find a way to halt the fraud, stop the inauguration before Jan 20 and stop THE FRAUD NOW, not just before the next election. NOW is a key word, EXCUSES ACCEPTED!

  38. As though a fraudulent election isn’t a threat to “democracy.” His argument is logically underwhelming, to put it mildly.

  39. The critical issue is election integrity. The last thing the nation needs is one politician or another making a commitment to the issue that is intended to serve his or her plans for 2024. If it is Cotton vs. Hawley vs. Cruz, nothing of lasting significance will come of the question of election integrity.

    What has not emerged among those concerned about reported voting irregularities including departures from state statutory requirements to voting fraud is a commitment to determine what happened in 2020. Republican Senators, should they maintain their majority, need to get behind a plan to establish a Select Committee, with subpoena power, properly funded, to determine what departures from legal requirements, if any, occurred in the 2020 presidential election.

    Republican Senators need to form a united front on this issue. The Democrats want mail-in voting, no voter id requirements. The question the Republicans need to ask and answer is whether these changes as were played out in 2020 will result in an electoral system where voting integrity becomes a political opportunity rather than national problem that potentially threatens the electoral system.

  40. Senator Cotton, thank you for taking the time to explain this issue. I appreciate it very much. It saddens me to see voter fraud complaints go unaddressed in the states, but I believe you are correct about the repercussions of involving congress further. Sharyl, thank you for bringing this to us. I am grateful for your hard work to clarify issues for common folk like me, without trying to manipulate how we feel or think about it. You are the only journalist I trust right now.

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