Biden To Be the Next US President
Congress confirms Joe Biden as the 46th president.
By: GenZ Staff | January 7, 2021 | 387 Words
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
On January 6, Congress certified the vote to make Joe Biden the next president of the United States. In a joint session, the House of Representatives and Senate voted to confirm the Electoral College vote of the 2020 election, naming Biden the 46th president.
Biden will be sworn in on January 20, along with his vice-presidential pick, Kamala Harris – both the first woman and person of color to enter the post.
The event was mired in controversy due to accusations of electoral fraud. President Donald Trump urged Congress to reject the Electoral College vote, claiming that the election result was fraudulent.
Several Republican congresspeople had intended to object to the vote and request an audit of the election.
Texas senator Ted Cruz was one lawmaker who objected to the results. He stated: “We have seen, and no doubt will continue to see a lot of moralizing from both sides of the aisle. But I would urge to both sides of the aisle, perhaps, a bit less certitude and a bit more recognition that we are gathered at a time when democracy is in crisis.”
On the other hand, some argued that it was not the role of Congress to interfere in the election results. California Representative Zoe Lofgren said the 2020 election was the most secure in modern history. If Congress overturns the Electoral College on this, then those already governing will have chosen the president, rather than the people, she claimed.
The count was paused for a few hours when pro-Trump protesters broke into the Capitol building, and members of Congress went to hide.
A large rally was being held in Washington, D.C., to protest the vote. A group of protesters stormed the Capitol, with a few entering the Senate and House chambers. Some clashed with police, and one protester was killed by law enforcement. Officials on all sides condemned any violence.
The National Guard was called in, causing the protest to disperse. Members of Congress then resumed their proceedings. In the end, Biden was confirmed to be the 46th president.
Despite vowing to continue his Make America Great Again agenda, Trump ultimately conceded the election, declaring that he will leave the Oval Office at the end of his first term.
What does the result mean for America’s future? We will all have to wait to find out.
