Aloha, Friend.
This past Sunday, January 3rd, I again took the oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” as your U.S. Representative throughout the new 117th Congress (2021-2023).
On Monday, I taped my first Congressman Ed Case Reports public broadcasting show back to you of this Congress. On Tuesday, I had my first of many weekly meetings with my new partner in the House, U.S. Representative Kaiali’i Kahele.
On Wednesday, a violent assault, incited by senior leaders of our country including the President, was mounted on the U.S. Capitol with the intent to disrupt and influence Congress’ obligation to review and decide whether to certify the Presidential election. Early Thursday at 3:41 AM, Congress completed our duty and the results were certified. By later Thursday, the death toll from the assault stood at five, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer, and I joined many colleagues in supporting the immediate removal of the President from office.
What a truly dark chapter for our country and our democracy, with so much damage to our foundations and institutions in such a brief time. But I know that this is not the America the vast majority of us of whatever stripe honor and cherish and stand for, and I know we will get through this dark time together.
Yet, that will not just happen. We must obtain full accountability, lest we send the message to future generations and leaders that our Constitution and laws mean so little. We must learn and address the painful lessons of this chapter, lest they are repeated. And we must continue the governance of our country and, for me, the representation of our Hawai’i, through the crisis of COVID-19 and beyond.
In that spirit, I report back to you again and ask for your continued guidance.
Confirmation of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election Results
The national popular vote was legally certified by each state. The resulting Electoral College vote was legally certified by the electors. Dozens of court cases alleging wrongdoing were rejected by the courts, and additional claims were not submitted to the courts.
The final step under our laws is Congress’ review of the Electoral College results. This review occurs state by state, with at least one U.S. Representative and one U.S. Senator required to object to maintain a valid objection for any state. Valid objections were raised for only two states - Arizona and Pennsylvania – meaning that for all other states there were no objections by at least one Representative and Senator.
The two valid objections were fully debated. The final votes were: (1) for Arizona, U.S. Senate, 93-6 against the objection and for the Electoral College result (including 44 Republicans against), and U.S. House, 303-121 against (including 83 Republicans against); and (2) for Pennsylvania, Senate, 92-7 against (45 Republicans), and House, 282-138 against (64 Republicans).
I voted against both objections because, after carefully considering the objectors’ arguments, I did not hear any that had not already been addressed by the state election certifiers and courts or were otherwise supported by any credible evidence.
Removal of the President from Office
Here is my public statement of yesterday:
“The President’s recent actions, including his flagrant attempted subversion of our election process and his incitement of yesterday’s violent attack on our U.S. Capitol, cross any reasonable line into an assault on our very foundations.
“They demonstrate that the President is an immediate danger to our democracy, our country and our citizens, justifying his removal from office for inability to discharge his duties under our Constitution.
“That his Administration will end in thirteen days is no reason not to remove him now. The power of the Presidency is immense, and its continued abuse cannot be risked. And the precedent of acceding to such abuse cannot be accepted.
“I urge Vice President Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to our Constitution, which provides an expedited procedure to remove the President for such disability.
“I am also reviewing specific impeachment proposals if the 25th Amendment is not invoked.”
I fully expect that, unless the Vice President and Cabinet act or the President resigns, the U.S. House will act this coming week.
Congressman Ed Case Reports: New ‘Olelo Community Broadcasting Show on Beginning the 117th Congress
Here is my next show, in which I report back to you as the 117th Congress begins on my three missions as your Congressman: (1) to contribute to the best path forward for our country, especially on COVID-19; (2) to assure that our federal government is assisting our Hawai'i; and (3) to help you with your own individual questions and concerns.
Monday, January 11th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM Facebook Live Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case
Could there be a more critical time for me to keep in touch with you to report on my activities as Hawaii’s Congressman, to answer your questions and to listen to your input?
Please join my first-of-this-Congress live Talk Story with Congressman Ed Case this coming Monday, January 11th, at 6:30 PM on Facebook Live. To access the Facebook Live feed, please go to my Facebook page (@Repedcase) I’m very honored and pleased to have Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters join as my special guest. We’ll report to you and answer your questions.
As always, I welcome you to go to my website at case.house.gov for much more information on me, my office and my activities as your Congressman. Please also email me at ed.case@mail.house.gov or call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688 with any questions or comments or needs.
I wish you and yours only the very best in these very difficult times for our country, our Hawai’i, and all of us. With great respect and aloha,
