Ronn Blitzer
Senate Democrats are pushing for two of their Republican colleagues to resign following Wednesday’s riot at the U.S. Capitol building, claiming that their roles in challenging the results of November’s election helped to “undermine” democracy.
Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., were vocal objectors during Wednesday’s counting of electoral votes, and now they are being urged to step down as a result.
“At a time of deep national division and in the midst of a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol, Senators Cruz and Hawley chose to undermine our democracy and feed the big lie that the election was stolen,” Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., tweeted Saturday night. “They should resign immediately.”
At a time of deep national division and in the midst of a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol, Senators Cruz and Hawley chose to undermine our democracy and feed the big lie that the election was stolen. They should resign immediately.
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) January 10, 2021
Smith joins several other Democrats, including Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; and Chris Coons, D-Del.
“Both @HawleyMO and @SenTedCruz have betrayed their oaths of office and abetted a violent insurrection on our democracy,” Brown said. “I am calling for their immediate resignations. If they do not resign, the Senate must expel them.”
Both @HawleyMO and @SenTedCruz have betrayed their oaths of office and abetted a violent insurrection on our democracy.
I am calling for their immediate resignations.
If they do not resign, the Senate must expel them.
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) January 9, 2021
In an interview with WBOC’s Cassie Semyon, Coons agreed with those calling for the Republicans’ exit.
“Yes, I think they should resign,” he said.
Murray also called for Hawley and Cruz to resign, claiming that “[a]ny Senator who stands up and supports the power of force over the power of democracy has broken their oath of office. Senators Hawley and Cruz should resign.”
This is not how we keep our people and our country free. As a Senator, I respect every member who disagrees with my ideas. I reserve my right to use my voice to fight for what I believe in.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) January 8, 2021
While Hawley and Cruz were vocal supporters of the electoral vote objections, neither one endorsed force or violence. Both condemned the violence and said that those who broke the law should face consequences.
Cruz called what happened Wednesday a “terrorist attack” and “a horrific assault on our democracy.” He called for those involved to face prosecution.
Devastating. Heidi and I are lifting up in prayer the family of the U.S. Capitol Police officer who tragically lost his life keeping us safe. He was a true hero.
Yesterday's terrorist attack was a horrific assault on our democracy. Every terrorist needs to be fully prosecuted. https://t.co/OMH1C1tc5v
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 8, 2021
In an interview with KXAS-TV, Cruz claimed that by calling for debate in the Senate he was following proper procedure and in no way was involved in violent activity.
“What I was doing is debating on the floor of the Senate election integrity,” Cruz said. “That has nothing to do with this criminal terrorist assault, which was wrong and needs to be prosecuted. It’s exactly the opposite. What I was doing is how you’re supposed to resolve issues in this country.”
Hawley also said that “those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted.”
Statement from Senator Josh Hawley:
Thank you to the brave law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line. The violence must end, those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted, and Congress must get back to work and finish its job
— Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) January 6, 2021
Author: Ronn Blitzer
Source: Fox News: Democratic senators ramp up calls for Cruz, Hawley to resign after Capitol riots
