CHAPTER 9: Democracy Inaction

8:00 PM: House Majority Leader Hoyer tweets and encloses his Statement on the Joint Session of Congress Reconvening for the Electoral College Certification:

“Today’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol complex was a direct attack on our democracy. It is shameful and despicable, but it will not prevent us from carrying out our Constitutional duties. Tonight, the House and Senate will reconvene in a Joint Session of Congress to continue the Electoral College certification. We will fulfill our duty to the Constitution and the American people.

“This is a dark day in our nation’s history, but our democracy will prevail. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be confirmed as the next President and Vice President of the United States. When they are sworn into office on January 20, I hope that day will mark the beginning of a new era for the American people in which we can come together as one nation and heal.”

8:06 PM: Vice President Pence reopens the Senate, saying, “Let’s get back to work.”

8:09 PM: Jonathan Martin of The New York Times tweets: “An extraordinary scene just outside the Senate. Lawmakers determined to meet and police have surrounded chamber, bomb-sniffing dogs prowling.”

8:10 PM: Vice President Pence speaks on Senate floor:

“To those who wreaked havoc today: You did not win. Violence never wins. Freedom wins, and this is still the people’s house. As we reconvene, the world will again witness the resilience of our democracy.”

“Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol…We condemn the violence that took place here in the strongest possible terms.”

8:21 PM: Rachel Chason of The Washington Post tweets: “A few Trump supporting stragglers, a whole lot of law enforcement and media outside the Capitol now…”

8:22 PM: Sarah Ferris of Politico tweets: “There’s a police dog here inspecting parts of Capitol building that is wearing booties, which is apparently to protect his paws from the glass.”