¶ Overview
- Murphy was a vocal advocate against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. He objected to certifying Pennsylvania’s electoral college vote, claiming that executive officials and judges in the state “usurped the legislative power to rewrite election law from thin air,” and signed an amicus brief calling for investigations into “irregularities” around the election.
¶ Murphy Supported Efforts To Overturn The Results Of The 2020 Election
¶ January 2021: Murphy Formally Objected To Certifying Electoral Votes From Pennsylvania For The 2020 Presidential Election
1/6/21: Murphy Voted To Object To Counting Pennsylvania’s Electoral Votes For The 2020 Election. According to The News & Observer, “For Pennsylvania, however, there were objections from a representative and a senator, leading to a vote in the Senate and another debate in the House. The Senate, without any debate, rejected the objections 92-7. The House, voting at 3 a.m., rejected the objections 282-138. Seven members of North Carolina’s delegation voted to support the objection. […] PENNSYLVANIA Voted to agree with the objections (7): Rep. Dan Bishop (R) Rep. Ted Budd (R) Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R) Rep. Virginia Foxx (R) Rep. Richard Hudson (R) Rep. Greg Murphy (R) Rep. David Rouzer (R)” [News & Observer, 1/7/21]
Murphy Claimed He Decided To Object To “Certain” Electoral College Votes After “Diligently Researching This Issue” And “Listening To Thousands Of Constituents' Opinions Regarding The Electoral College.” According to a press release from Rep. Greg Murphy, “Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) will object to certain Electoral College votes on Wednesday during the Joint Session of Congress certifying the presidential election results. Murphy released the following statement: ‘Americans deserve a free, fair, and accurate election. One in which all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, have confidence in the results. I have been quite vocal in stating that to preserve the integrity of our elections, we must fight to ensure that every voice is heard, every legal vote is counted, and every count is confirmed. There is a legal and well-established process set forth by our Founding Fathers to ensure that our elections are accurate and honest. After diligently researching this issue, as well as listening to thousands of constituents' opinions regarding the Electoral College, I plan to object tomorrow,’ said Murphy.” [Press Release – Rep. Greg Murphy, 1/5/21]
Murphy Claimed His Objection To Certifying “Certain” Electoral College Votes Was About “Upholding The Constitution.” According to a press release from Rep. Greg Murphy, “‘When I was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, I took an oath to defend the Constitution. Contrary to what many in the mainstream media would have you believe, this is not about a person, but rather about upholding the Constitution. It very clearly states in Article II Section 1 that state legislatures are charged with writing election laws, not executive officials and judges. Unfortunately multiple states, some more egregiously than others, violated that section of the Constitution. Whether objecting would change the outcome is not the question that must be addressed. It is rather, did certain states follow their constitutional duties in how they chose electors? I believe the answer is ‘no'.’” [Press Release – Rep. Greg Murphy, 1/5/21]
Murphy Claimed That State Officials And Judges In Multiple States “Usurped The Legislative Power To Rewrite Election Law From Thin Air.” According to a press release from Rep. Greg Murphy, “‘Unless we solve this problem now by objecting and calling into question the irregularities in the process this year, it will call into question the integrity of every election this nation faces moving forward. The fact that executive officials and judges in several states usurped the legislative power to rewrite election law from thin air is at best troubling and at worst seditious. It is clear these issues warrant further scrutiny,’ concluded Murphy.” [Press Release – Rep. Greg Murphy, 1/5/21]
¶ 2020: Murphy Signed An Amicus Brief Asking The Supreme Court To Overturn The 2020 Presidential Election Results In Four Key States
12/10/20: Murphy Signed An Amicus Brief Asking The Supreme Court To Overturn The Results Of The 2020 Presidential Election In Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania And Wisconsin. According to ProPublica via the Wayback Machine, “More than half of the House Republican Caucus in the 116th Congress signed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to allow a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — swing states where former Vice President Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump. We’ve listed these members, 126 in all, below.”
[ProPublica via Wayback Machine, 5/8/21]
¶ Murphy voted against forming a commission to investigate january 6th
2021: Murphy Voted Against Establishing A National Commission That Would Investigate The January 6th Attack On The Capitol. In May 2021, Murphy voted against the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “establish a national commission to investigate facts and causes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, ‘domestic terrorist attack’ on the U.S. Capitol; examine and evaluate evidence developed by relevant federal, state and local governmental agencies; and build upon the investigations of other entities. It would require the commission to investigate facts and circumstances of the attack related to intelligence and law enforcement agency activities and factors contributing to the attack, including online platforms and foreign influence operations; identify and analyze the causes of and lessons learned from the attack with regard to law enforcement operations and security protocol at the Capitol; and submit to the president and Congress reports containing findings and recommendations for corrective measures that are agreed to by a majority of the commission. The commission would be composed of ten members, evenly chosen by the majority and minority parties, who have national recognition and significant experience in at least two subject areas related to the attack, such as law enforcement, intelligence, law, civil rights and counterterrorism. Among other provisions, the bill would authorize the commission to issue subpoenas and hold hearings and specify that the commission would submit its final report by the end of 2021 and terminate 60 days after submitting the report.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 252-175. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 154, 5/19/21; Congressional Quarterly, 5/19/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3233]
- 2021: Murphy Voted Against Establishing A Special House Committee To Investigate The January 6th Insurrection. In June 2021, Murphy voted against a bill which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, “establish a special committee in the House of Representatives to investigate facts and causes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, ‘domestic terrorist attack’ on the U.S. Capitol; examine and evaluate evidence developed by relevant federal, state and local governmental agencies; and build upon the investigations of other entities. It would require the committee to investigate facts and circumstances of the attack related to intelligence and law enforcement agency activities and factors contributing to the attack, including online platforms and foreign influence operations; identify and analyze the causes of and lessons learned from the attack with regard to law enforcement operations and security protocol at the Capitol; and submit to Congress reports including findings and conclusions of its investigations, legislative recommendations, and recommendations for corrective measures. The resolution would authorize the speaker of the House to appoint 13 members to the committee, including five members after consultation with the minority leader. Among other provisions, it would authorize the committee chair to issue subpoenas, authorize such sums as may be necessary for committee expenses, and specify that the committee would terminate 30 days after filing its final report to Congress.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 222-190. [House Vote 197, 6/30/21; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/21; Congressional Actions, H.R. 503]