US House members offer varying views on presidential transition

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday offered differing takes on the presidential transfer of power as President-elect Joe Biden moves forward with preparing his administration.

Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., shared his support for an organized transition between President Donald Trump and Biden, yet fellow Republicans Alex Mooney and Carol Miller backed efforts challenging election results in multiple states.

The head of the General Services Administration on Monday wrote a letter to Biden acknowledging the former vice president is leading the contest with few remaining chances of the lead changing. The designation from Administrator Emily Murphy also provides Biden and his team with resources for the transition, such as information on national security and the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump has not conceded to Biden; the president tweeted Monday he authorized the actions related to the transition.

Trump and his allies have been unsuccessful in flipping the outcomes in battleground states and proving widespread voter fraud. Officials in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Nevada on Tuesday certified their election results showing Biden as the winner. The North Carolina Board of Elections additionally recognized Trump’s victory over Biden in the state.

U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va. (U.S. Congress)

McKinley said it is unlikely Trump and his lawyers will change the outcome.

“President Trump has rightly exposed some problems with the process of voting and counting votes and is well within his right to challenge irregularities in court,” McKinley said in a statement to MetroNews.

“However, it does not appear those legal challenges will change the result of the election. It is important there be an orderly transition in the coming weeks and months. I support President Trump’s decision to allow the GSA to assist in this transition.”

Mooney, who has touted himself as a Trump ally, said the GSA providing the Biden team with resources is not a sign of the president accepting he lost.

“In no way does this mean that President Trump has conceded, nor do I believe he should concede given the allegations currently being investigated,” he said. “The Trump Campaign is rightfully litigating evidence of fraud from sworn affidavits and pursuing constitutional violations in court to ensure the integrity of our election system. I agree with President Trump that every legal vote must be counted. I continue to stand with President Trump.”

Miller also shared support for the Trump legal team.

“We must give people certainty and confidence in our democratic elections,” she said. “I support President Trump’s right to exercise all legal options available to him. While this process continues, I respect any decision that follows the law. Presidential elections occur every four years to ensure our republic can flourish as one nation under God.”

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on Monday backed the transition, noting there is no evidence of widespread voting irregularities. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., recognized Biden as president-elect on Nov. 7 when multiple news organizations declared Biden as the projected winner.

“I will respect the certified results and will congratulate our nation’s new leaders, regardless of the policy differences I might have with them,” Capito said. “As with any administration, I will look for common ground in the best interest of our state and our country.”

Capito, McKinley, Mooney and Miller were all successful in their reelection bids earlier this month.

Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Tuesday held a press conference announcing foreign policy nominations and appointments, including Antony Blinken as secretary of state and Alejandro Mayorkas to lead the Department of Homeland Security.





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