from Senator Van Hollen:

'Early Thursday morning, our democracy prevailed. Despite President Trump’s calls for insurrection, his contempt for the Constitution, and his lawless conduct, the will of the American people held firm. The historic victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris has been certified by the United States Congress and they will both be sworn in as President and Vice President on January 20th.

But this resounding testament to the durability of our institutions was interrupted earlier on Wednesday by a violent and seditious attack on our republic. I never thought I would witness this type of assault on our Capitol and our democracy – both from without and within. The President ignited this fire and the complicity of far too many Republican members of Congress fueled the flames. Following the attacks, I spoke on the Senate floor about Republican lawmakers’ irresponsible and unfounded attempts to challenge November’s election results, and the damaging consequences of their actions.

President Trump instigated this attack and must be removed from office. Each day he remains in the White House is a threat to our country. While only a few days still remain in his term, Trump is a ticking time bomb aimed at the heart of our democracy. Washington’s leaders have a moral responsibility to intervene before the fuse blows. I have already urged Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. Should he and the Cabinet fail to act, I believe that Congress must move forward with articles of impeachment.

This has been a dark week for our democracy, but there is still cause for hope. On Tuesday, the people of Georgia raised their voices and sent two new leaders to Washington, D.C. – Rev. Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King once held the pulpit, and Jon Ossoff. Their victories have given the Democrats a razor-thin majority in the Senate and, importantly, taken the gavel out of the hands of Senator McConnell. We will move with urgency to defeat the raging COVID-19 pandemic, deliver more emergency relief to struggling Marylanders, build an economy that works for all, tackle the deeply-rooted problems of racial and social inequality, and work to mend the torn fabric of our democracy.

In his second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln issued a now famous call to “bind up the nation’s wounds.” Despite the wake of blood, betrayal, and violence left by the Civil War, Lincoln determined that the only way forward was in peace and unity. In only a few days, we will inaugurate a new President and Vice President who will be tasked with helping a divided country come together again. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have promised to serve both those who voted for them and those who didn’t. I know that they will uphold this pledge. It remains to be seen whether a substantial number of Senate Republicans will accept their hand of unity. I do know that, with your input and help , I will fight every day to help heal a broken nation, meet the urgent challenges before us, and set us on a brighter course.'

https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact/email

Chris Van Hollen