House Democrat Calls To Exclude 126 Republicans From Next Congress For Supporting Texas Lawsuit

Topline

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) on Friday urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to refuse to seat any of the 126 Republican House members who signed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit aimed at overturning the results of the presidential election.

Key Facts

Pascrell, who has been among the most vocal proponents in Congress of investigations into President Trump, called on Pelosi in a letter to “exclude” any members who signed the brief, claiming they want to “tear the United States government apart.”

Pascrell cites Section 3 of the 14th amendment – which states that anyone who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” cannot serve in federal office – claiming the lawsuit seeks to “obliterate public confidence in our democratic system” and that those who signed it committed “unbecoming acts that reflect poorly on our chamber.”

The lawsuit the Republicans are supporting, brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and backed by 17 Republican attorneys general, asks the Supreme Court to invalidate electors in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin and Michigan based on fraud claims already rejected by lowerthe courts numerous times.

The Republicans who signed the brief include House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and incoming House GOP Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, who is spearheading the effort.

Pelosi herself has signaled firm opposition to the Trump-backed effort, calling it “an act of flailing GOP desperation, which violates the principles enshrined in our American Democracy” in a letter to Democratic colleagues.

“Republicans are subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy,” Pelosi added in the letter, which was released after Pascrell’s, though she did not say whether she would heed his calls.

Forbes has reached out to Pelosi and Johnson for comment.

Chief Critic

“Congress is just trolling each other at this point, despite currently being in session specifically to pass relief for millions of suffering Americans,” pollster Frank Luntz tweeted in response to Pascrell’s letter.

Tangent

One member of Congress who expressed support for Pascrell’s demands is Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a member of the progressive “squad.”

Crucial Quote

“President Trump… specifically asked me to contact all Republican Members of the House and Senate today and request that all join on to our brief,” Johnson said in an email to the Republican caucus obtained by Forbes. “He said he will anxiously be awaiting the final list to review.”

Big Number

70. That’s the number of House Republicans who did not sign the brief, a rare break in a battle largely defined by partisan lines. Just 23 Republican members of Congress – 14 House members, 9 senators – have acknowledged Biden’s victory. 

Key Background

23 Democratic attorneys general filed a brief opposing the lawsuit, as did Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat whose state’s Republican attorney general is among the 17 supporting it. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds blocked her state’s Democratic attorney general from opposing it. But several Republicans have openly criticized it, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) – whose state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, brought the lawsuit – as well as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, who called it an “unwise use of taxpayer money” after Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes signed the brief supporting it.

What To Watch For

The Supreme Court is expected to rule before the electoral college meets on Monday and a ruling could come as soon as Friday. The case is a long-shot, given that the Court refused to even hear a similar case brought by Pennsylvania Republicans.


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