Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on Republicans in the upper chamber to “stop denying reality” this week and accept the results of the November presidential election. He added that it’s time for Washington to turn its focus on battling the coronavirus, which is spiking around the country.
During a press conference with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on Thursday, Schumer said, “When it comes to the election, Congressional Republicans don’t have the evidence, they don’t have the proof. They don’t have anything; neither does the president.”
“Congressional Republicans are deliberately casting doubt on our elections for no other reason but fear of Donald Trump,” he added.
Schumer said that his message to Senate Republicans is “The election is over. It wasn’t close. President Trump lost. Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States. Kamala Harris will the be next Vice President of the United States.”
He continued, “Stop denying reality. Stop deliberately and recklessly sowing doubt about our democratic process and start focusing on COVID.”
Later in his remarks, Schumer said, “Republicans in Congress are spreading conspiracy theories, denying reality and poisoning the well of our democracy … This is nothing more than a temper tantrum by Republicans.”
“Senate Republicans: stop denying reality,” Chuck Schumer said today in a presser with Nancy Pelosi. He called on them to stop “sowing doubt about our democratic process and start focusing on covid.” pic.twitter.com/68Z7u6xsau
— POLITICO (@politico) November 12, 2020
While most of the Republicans have refused to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, there are a handful of members including Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) who have congratulated Biden on election win.
But Trump’s loyalists in the Senate have been outspoken that Trump should not bow to the norms of democracy and concede. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has told Trump “do not concede”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R–Ky.) shrugged off questions about President Trump refusing to concede the election, telling reporters, “I think we ought to quit all the hand wringing and not act like this is extraordinary. We’re going to get through this period.”