CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a resolution affirming the chamber’s stance on “the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution of the United States” in light of remarks made by President Donald Trump.
The action stemmed from Trump declining to say he would accept the results of the November general election if he loses to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., introduced the resolution, citing concerns from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
“It’s a shame we have to come and reaffirm our commitment to our country, to our Constitution, and who we are as a people and how we became a great country,” Manchin said on the Senate floor.
Trump said during Wednesday’s press briefing at the White House he will have to “see what happens,” citing disproven arguments that mail-in voting will result in fraud.
“I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots. And the ballots are a disaster,” he said.
States are encouraging mail-in voting for the general election because of the coronavirus pandemic. The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office is allowing registered voters to cite the coronavirus in requesting a ballot, but the office is not sending applications to voters as it did for the June primary election.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, more than 85,000 applications have been verified.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said during Thursday’s press briefing Trump will accept the election results.
Manchin said the president’s comments damage a nation that finds itself amid a volatile period.
“We have come through a lot in our country, and we continue to be challenged,” he said. “I believe to have the leader of the free world talk as if we’re an autocracy or an authoritarian (government) versus a democracy is something that alarmed me and alarmed all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Even those quiet as some may be, I know they are alarmed.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was among the Republicans who voiced opposition to the president’s remarks.
“The winner of the November 3rd election will be inaugurated on January 20th. There will be an orderly transition just as there has been every four years since 1792,” McConnell tweeted.
The Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent.