Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation disappointed supporters of President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday.
President Trump won Iowa by wide margins in 2016 and 2020. He undoubtedly played a significant role in the GOP increasing its margin in the Iowa House. Sen. Joni Ernst and all three GOP freshmen in the U.S. House of Representatives ran as supporters of President Trump.
On Wednesday, though, every single one of them voted to certify the results of the Electoral College.
Congressman Randy Feenstra, who had signed a letter urging Nancy Pelosi to launch an investigation into the 2020 Presidential Election, supported the certification of the Electoral College results.
Rep. Randy Feenstra released the following statement regarding Wednesday’s attack on the Capitol and the pending vote to certify the Electoral College results:
“Today is a very sad day in our nation’s history. While every American has a First Amendment right to free speech, which includes the right to peacefully protest, violence is never the answer. A woman died during the events that unfolded. Our beautiful Capitol — a symbol of our Republic — was desecrated in front of the world.
“Frustrations over the results of the election are understandable, but resorting to violence and anarchy is completely unacceptable.
“When I was sworn into office on Sunday, with my hand on our family’s Bible, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Today, that is what I’ll do. The Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution states, ‘The person having the greatest Number of [Electoral College] votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed.’ To date, no state has sent a new slate of electors — even though they have the constitutional power to do so. Therefore, the results of the Electoral College will stand.
“I will always be a strong advocate and supporter of efforts to uphold the security and trust Americans have in our election system, such as implementing strict voter ID laws like we have here in Iowa. That is why I signed on to a letter with my freshman colleagues urging House leadership to take action and support the integrity of our election process.
“Free, fair, and legal elections are the cornerstone of our Republic, and even one case of fraud is one case too many. Congress must immediately hold hearings on election integrity so Iowans and all Americans can once again have faith in our elections.
“America can, and must, be better than what we witnessed today. I pray that she will be.”
Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley put out statements defending their vote to certify the Electoral College results.
Congresswomen Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks announced their plans in advance.
