Can Pence award the election to Trump?
The U.S. Congress will convene on Wednesday to set the seal on President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in what is expected to be an unusually contentious and drawn-out proceeding because of planned objections by Republicans allied with President Donald Trump. Here’s what to expect from the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both chambers of Congress are meeting to formally tally the Electoral College results, the final step in the months-long process to select the U.S. president. Vice-President Mike Pence will formally preside over the session. The results are based on votes cast on Dec.14 by slates of “electors” who met in each state to reflect the winner of that state’s popular vote. A total of 538 electoral votes are allotted to states and the District of Columbia based on their congressional representation. Biden captured 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232. The proceedings, which will kick off at 1 p.m. ET (18:00 GMT), are typically brief and ceremonial. This year, it could drag into Thursday, as some Republicans plan to challenge the result in key states. Pence will open sealed certificates from the U.S. states and the District of Columbia that declare their electoral votes.
