Staff reports | Five Republican U.S. House members from South Carolina voted in the dead of night early Thursday to object to President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory, hours after a mob of pro-Trump supporters broke into the chambers where the members later gathered to vote.
The five members from South Carolina’s delegation who voted to contest the certification of Electoral College results were:
- U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan
- U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman
- U.S. Rep. Tom Rice
- U.S. Rep. William Timmons
- U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson
At 3:08 a.m. Thursday, 282 House members voted against the objection and 138 members voted in favor of the objection. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace — fresh off a narrow victory in the moderate, Charleston-anchored 1st District — was the only House Republican from South Carolina to vote down the objections. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, a Democrat who represents parts of Charleston and the Midlands, also voted against the election protest.
Neither of South Carolina’s United States senators, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, joined the objections. Graham, who was among Trump’s most strident defenders during the election, said in a speech late Wednesday, “Count me out. Enough is enough.”
In Washington and across the country, there’s a growing list of leaders calling from Trump’s impeachment or removal, according to Raw Story. Meanwhile, former Trump Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina resigned Thursday from a State Department post after the mob violence, according to The State.
In other news this week:
State leaders react to D.C. mob violence. Here are some reactions from state leaders on the mob violence that erupted Wednesday in Washington:
Gov. Henry McMaster: “It is hard to believe what we are seeing at our beloved Capitol. We should be alarmed – but also deeply saddened. Protest is honored, but violence cannot be tolerated. Those who believe in America should leave the building immediately. The rule of law must prevail.” Twitter, Jan. 6, 2021.
Former GOP U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, who represented the Greenville area for six terms: “To see a marauding band of thugs defiling the place was and is too much to take. Even now, tears are welling. It’s such a reproach to have such a crass Inciter in Chief, a commander of insurrection. I’m just so glad that I got my name on one of the earliest Never Trump lists. January 20th cannot come soon enough. May he be removed before then.” Email, Jan. 7, 2021.
Sen. Mia McLeod, D-Columbia: “After witnessing these remarkable acts of sedition during an attempted coup at the behest of Mr. Trump, it is incumbent upon those who occupy key leadership positions in South Carolina to renounce these unfounded conspiracy theories, condemn the violence, punish the offenders and impose additional safety measures to ensure that deadly, treasonous acts like these do not occur here. Not tonight. Not next week. Not ever.” Press release, Jan. 6, 2021.
Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston: “Yesterday’s actions are painful to have to explain to my children, ages 3 and 7. One day I will, but not now. Fortunately for this great country, we have a new leader. A leader who is focused on unity and building the country back better for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. Notwithstanding of what happened yesterday, I still believe the best of our country is still yet to come.” Press release, Jan. 7, 2021.
Rep. Marvin Pendarvis, D-North Charleston: “I’m not surprised by what happened today when you have a President who has fanned the flames of hatred and division for years and it’s sewn into that, you reap those kinds of seeds.” Trident United Way forum, Jan. 6, 2021.
Rep. Sylleste Davis, R-Moncks Corner: “There are things you disagree on. We’ve got to find ways to come together and work for the people and that’s going to happen at a grassroots level, that’s going to happen in groups like this where we have common goals and we have common desires to help the people in our community.” Trident United Way forum, Jan. 6, 2021.
Virus rages. Since the first of the year, state officials have announced 22,210 new cases of COVID-19 and 461 new deaths as the virus raged through the Palmetto State. As of Thursday, more than 85 percent of the state’s hospital beds (9,484) were occupied, including 2,425 virus patients, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Meanwhile, state officials have rolled out a plan to deliver vaccinations to South Carolinians, according to the Charleston City Paper. The Greenville News reported one of every 1,000 South Carolinians has died from COVID-19. The Greenville area, The Post and Courier reported, is one of the nation’s big hotspots for the virus.
McMaster to release budget. The governor is set to release a 2021-22 budget today that includes $400 million in new education spending, kindergarten through college. More.
Sam Spence, editor of the Charleston City Paper, contributed to this news roundup. Have a comment? Send to: feedback@statehousereport.com
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