House Lawmakers Seek Pledges to Accept Midterm Election Results

Representatives Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, and Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, are leading a bipartisan initiative to secure written pledges from House colleagues to accept the upcoming midterm election results. The lawmakers are circulating a public letter opposing any attempts to undermine free and fair elections or delay the seating of Member-elects who present valid election certificates.

Addressed to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the letter commits signatories to recognizing state-certified winners and ensuring they are added to the House Clerk's roll by January 2027. Republican Representatives Mike Lawler and Brian Fitzpatrick have already signed the pledge.

The effort follows claims of voting fraud by President Trump and commentary from the Heritage Foundation suggesting that Congress is not obligated to immediately accept state results if they are deemed unfair. Gottheimer cited his experience during the January 6 Capitol riot as motivation for the measure, while Bacon emphasized the need to preserve trust in the institution by following state certifications.