GOP senators offer to escort McCormick to orientation after Schumer’s snub

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has made headlines by offering to personally escort Republican Pennsylvania Senator-elect Dave McCormick into the Capitol for new-senator orientation after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., moved to block him. Lee took to his personal X account on Sunday to express his willingness to defy Schumer’s decision and ensure McCormick’s presence at the orientation.

“I’m willing to personally escort @DaveMcCormickPA into the Capitol for new-senator orientation. I’d like to see how they’d keep him out if he literally walked into ‘the room where it happens’,” Lee wrote in his post. He also mentioned that Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, has indicated his support and willingness to join the effort.

“I’d welcome other senators to join us!” Lee added, calling on his colleagues to stand in solidarity with McCormick. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, responded to Lee’s offer, saying, “I’ll be right there alongside you, Mike. Dave McCormick is the Senator-elect for Pennsylvania. And deserves to be at orientation alongside every other member of his freshman class.”

Schumer’s decision to block McCormick from attending the orientation was based on the fact that there were still “over 100,000 ballots left to be counted” in Pennsylvania’s Senate race. A spokesperson for Schumer stated that the contest had not been decided and that McCormick would be invited once the votes were fully counted.

However, the Associated Press called the race in favor of McCormick over three-term Democratic incumbent Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, who has not conceded, citing the remaining uncounted ballots. McCormick currently leads Casey by 40,145 votes, with a margin of 0.58%, just above the threshold for an automatic recount.

Despite the ongoing dispute, McCormick remains confident in his victory, stating in a recent interview on Fox News that there is no mathematical path for Casey to win based on the current vote margin. He emphasized the importance of allowing the democratic process to play out and ensuring that every eligible vote is counted.

In response to Schumer’s refusal to invite McCormick to the orientation, several Republican senators, including Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Mike Lee, have criticized the decision, highlighting the importance of accepting election outcomes. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who is also awaiting the AP’s call on his Senate race, has similarly not been invited to the orientation.

As the situation unfolds, the debate over McCormick’s participation in the orientation continues to spark controversy and calls for transparency in the electoral process. Despite the challenges, McCormick remains determined to fulfill his duties as the Senator-elect for Pennsylvania and represent his constituents in the Senate.

The offer from Sen. Mike Lee to personally escort McCormick into the Capitol serves as a symbol of solidarity and support for his fellow Republican colleague, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring that every elected official has the opportunity to fulfill their responsibilities.