Republicans on the committee in charge of inaugural ceremonies nixed a resolution that would have affirmed the panel was preparing for President-elect Joe Biden’s transition in January.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy blocked the motion, preventing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies from publicly accepting that the inauguration on Jan. 20 will be for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
The motion was offered by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who called the Republicans’ efforts to block the move “astounding,” adding that it aids in undermining faith in the integrity of the election.
“It is imperative that JCCIC proceed with plans for their inauguration and coordinate with the Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee,” Hoyer said in a statement. “Instead, Republicans are refusing even to allow JCCIC to say that President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will be inaugurated on January 20, even when there is no serious dispute over that fact.”
The motion would have notified the public that the inauguration committee is preparing to swear Biden into office on Jan. 20 with the help of public health experts and his team to ensure the ceremony goes smoothly amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is tasked with overseeing the inaugural ceremonies, which include the presidential oath of office and the congressional receptions that follow the event. The committee consists of three senators and three representatives, including three Democrats and three Republicans.
President Trump has yet to concede to Biden despite the Democrat being declared the winner by several media outlets a month ago. The president remains engaged in litigation in multiple states, where he claims voter fraud helped secure a victory for his opponent.
Tuesday marked the “safe harbor” deadline for electors to certify their votes, which state electors have until Dec. 14 to certify.
