Thread by @burgessev

Senate Republicans unload on Trump and Hawley-led effort to challenge Biden’s election certification

“I think it’s awful. I am going to support my oath to the Constitution. That’s the loyalty test here,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

politico.com/news/2021/01/0…

Mitt Romney called Hawley’s move “disappointing and destructive. And borrowing from Ben Sasse it’s ambition pointing a gun at the head of democracy.”

“I’m going to vote to certify the election,” said Wicker. “I don’t think it’s a good idea and I don’t understand his reasoning”

“It seems to me this is an exercise in futility,” Cornyn said. “There are probably 70 million people who would rather see Trump elected. So I think it may not be very popular [in the GOP]. But sometimes you’ve got to do unpopular things because it’s the right thing to do”

Senate Rs think a handful of other senators will join Hawley. Johnson supports, Braun and Blackburn are undecided

“It’s a protest vote only. Because in my opinion there’s zero chance that anything will come from it,” Braun argued.

Rubio and Ernst didn’t want to comment

Toomey (R-Pa.), who opposes challenging the election, said he would address the issue “pretty thoroughly next week.”

“Ask me that on Jan. 6. There’s a lot to think about,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the most senior GOP senator.

Thune, the whip, says Congress has no legal authority to do much other than count the votes. He said Republicans are not whipping against Hawley, even though he and McConnell oppose

Thune said the GOP leadership is letting members “vote their conscience.”

“I won't tell other folks what to do,” said Hawley, who hasn’t decided how many states to challenge. “I don't have the power to overturn anything. My objective in this is, as I've said repeatedly, is this is my one opportunity in this process to stand and be heard.”