EXPLAINER: The last-ditch plan to have Pence stop Biden win
The House committee investigating the Capitol riot plans to focus its hearing Thursday on the pressure that Donald Trump put on Vice President Mike Pence in a last-ditch and potentially illegal plan to stop Joe Bidenโs election victory.
![California Democrats sharpen messaging against Newsom recall](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Dl0z1w-I-Cn381PAkkGqKkwuTNQ=/800x543/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/U4PYUA6OXBEOTOLQM7WSAWKUYU.jpg)
California Democrats sharpen messaging against Newsom recall
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is winning support from top Democrats including Vice President Kamala Harris as he prepares to face a recall election later this year.
![California Democrats see backlash after recall 'coup' claims](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/3JyHFSpl1vWs3UXmlxrRLUzVizc=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OEEKJJOWK5A6PJUZVSXT6EDVTQ.jpg)
California Democrats see backlash after recall 'coup' claims
State Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks led a group of Democratic officials who described the effort to remove Newsom as a coup and claimed, without evidence, that those involved were far-right extremists. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool, File)LOS ANGELES โ California Republicans on Wednesday seized on a bungled Democratic attempt to link the proposed recall of Gov. The criticism came as the Republican Party of Orange County launched a new round of fundraising appeals for the recall, saying Democrats were attempting to enflame political tensions at a time of national strife. โLinking a legal and constitutionally appropriate (California) recall attempt to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and ongoing coup attempt is worse than a bad PR call. Unlike a coup, typically a violent and illegal attempt to seize power, recall elections are authorized under state law.
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EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes
(Samuel Corum/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON โ Wednesday's congressional joint session to count electoral votes could drag late into the night as some Republicans plan to challenge Democrat Joe Biden's victory in at least six states. Under federal law, Congress must meet Jan. 6 to open sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes. The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. The presiding officer opens and presents the certificates of the electoral votes in alphabetical order of the states. If they do not both agree, the original electoral votes are counted with no changes.
![EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/yJQW9_qfYhAneei6PNpdPxnnNRs=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SJDH6UUH25ECJKYAQFMAWN3F5Q.jpg)
EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes
Under federal law, Congress must meet Jan. 6 to open sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes. The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. The presiding officer opens and presents the certificates of the electoral votes in alphabetical order of the states. The appointed "tellers" from the House and Senate, members of both parties, then read each certificate out loud and record and count the votes. If they do not both agree, the original electoral votes are counted with no changes.
![EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/DJ1C2dgGfWwE_bG9YAe-odPjKww=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IHDL2OYOB5EKXMJ6MFVHQSJ3EY.jpg)
EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes
Under federal law, Congress must meet Jan. 6 to open sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes. The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. The presiding officer opens and presents the certificates of the electoral votes in alphabetical order of the states. At the end, the presiding officer announces who has won the majority votes for both president and vice president. If they do not both agree, the original electoral votes are counted with no changes.
![GOP senator rebukes 'dangerous ploy' to fight Biden victory](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/q4yFb3T3Uk28Mfh5AmsanSXPWxQ=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WIP72HPRLBASPPAGHZLCGWMIPE.jpg)
GOP senator rebukes 'dangerous ploy' to fight Biden victory
โI will not be participating in a project to overturn the election,โ Sasse wrote. When Congress convenes to certify the Electoral College results, any lawmaker can object to a stateโs votes on any grounds. If they disagree, the original electoral votes are counted. Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all has been dismissed or dropped. The group of House Republicans has said it plans to challenge the election results from Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada.
![EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/GtW6r_KWIhY1-6wi_o3UyujUjqc=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CAEJTRG5KJDCRPX3ZAD7NUFOB4.jpg)
EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)WASHINGTON โ The congressional joint session to count electoral votes is generally a routine, ceremonious affair. Under federal law, Congress must meet Jan. 6 to open sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes. The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. The presiding officer opens and presents the certificates of the electoral votes in alphabetical order of the states. The tellers record and count the votes, The presiding officer announces who has won the majority votes for both president and vice president.
![EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/YXC0FXf4Aq2MITRMeo1ESEXMCS4=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/555OIUCDOFGV7NNH2G27V5GJOI.jpg)
EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)WASHINGTON โ The congressional joint session to count electoral votes is generally a routine, ceremonious affair. Under federal law, Congress must meet Jan. 6 to open sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes. The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. The presiding officer opens and presents the certificates of the electoral votes in alphabetical order of the states. The tellers record and count the votes, The presiding officer announces who has won the majority votes for both president and vice president.
![Missouri senator to contest Biden's Electoral College win](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/UDBVy3wIFZ-c8faQUDaUO-cpY3Y=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CF2JHFVRVZCT7JKVAPQT5EX35M.jpg)
Missouri senator to contest Biden's Electoral College win
He has pushed Republican senators to pursue his unfounded charges even though the Electoral College this month cemented Bidenโs 306-232 victory and multiple legal efforts to challenge the results have failed. When Congress convenes to certify the Electoral College results, any lawmaker can object to a stateโs votes on any grounds. If they disagree, the original electoral votes are counted. Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. The group of House Republicans have said they plan to challenge the election results from Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada.
![Trump, House lawmakers plot futile effort to block Biden win](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/fU-6iKWYXtM8yUwqHDLq8lrW4TY=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NFF4YTS3NVFWBIWJ6T2TCKQSBM.jpg)
Trump, House lawmakers plot futile effort to block Biden win
But members can use the event to object to a stateโs votes. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., said he organized Monday's session with about a dozen House Republicans who are willing to challenge the results. โPresident Trump is very supportive of our effort,โ Brooks said in an interview late Monday. Trump and his allies have filed roughly 50 lawsuits challenging election results, and nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. McConnell has told Senate Republicans that a dispute over the results in January would yield a โterrible voteโ for Republicans.
![EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/owkBUBYBHrRvWF9cXkhY4zPBpR8=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RX4ZDKLHKNB3JFVRQB2EVH2LXU.jpg)
EXPLAINER: How Congress will count Electoral College votes
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON โ The congressional joint session to count electoral votes is generally a routine, ceremonious affair. Under federal law, Congress must meet Jan. 6 to open sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes. The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes. The presiding officer opens and presents the certificates of the electoral votes in alphabetical order of the states. The tellers then record and count the votes, and the presiding officer announces who has won the majority votes for both president and vice president.
![A new face to the GOP: Diverse candidates win in California](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/YKi2IZc_x1SJwqaPYttblj021wg=/1600x1068/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LS6DDBUGQNA3VGLWHQDPMBHULA.jpg)
A new face to the GOP: Diverse candidates win in California
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)LOS ANGELES โ It had been over two decades since a Republican captured a Democratic-held congressional district in California. The stunning victories have California GOP leaders talking about a comeback after years of teetering on the brink of irrelevance in the heavily Democratic state. Still, California Republicans all too familiar with Election Day misery now see a template to make further inroads. Young Kim defeated Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros in a rematch in the Democratic-leaning 39th District, anchored in Orange County. In Orange County โvoters saw a different face to the Republican Party in Steel and Kim,โ she said.
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Trump camp hopes Mideast pacts translate to Jewish support
The Trump campaign is ramping up its own efforts as well, launching a new โJewish Voices for Trumpโ initiative effort in September that centers on the presidentโs support for Israel. But whether Trump can gain ground with Jewish voters on the strength of his foreign policy agenda remains an unanswered question. And most Jewish voters broke for Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Trump ended the call by telling the Jewish American leaders, โWe really appreciate you. This includes Orthodox Jews, who comprise a minority of the Jewish American population but skew majority-Republican, according to a 2013 Pew study.
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The Ultimate Recovery: Cycles of pain anchor Biden's moment
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., pass each other as Harris moves tot the podium. Get up, was the motto of Joe Bidens father, Joe, Sr. Get up!___BIDEN, BEFOREIn the 1972 campaign, Joe Biden is a snapshot of a candidate rushing toward what seems an unbounded future. Bush's vice president, is backing Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, a fellow Hoosier. My beautiful boy.An excruciating moment is captured in a photograph from the funeral a week later., An honor guard carried the flag-draped casket past the grieving vice president.