09/13/2024 --axios
A half dozen House Republicans have so far signed onto a bipartisan letter vowing to respect the certified winner of the 2024 presidential election, according to a copy obtained by Axios.Why it matters: Their party's nominee, former President Trump, has refused to say if he will accept the results and continued to deny his loss to President Biden in the 2020 election.Driving the news: Signers of the one-page letter vow to "safeguard the fairness and integrity of America" by "acknowledging the election winner certified [on Jan. 6] ... as the legitimate President of the United States."They also promise to attend the inauguration on Jan. 20, serve as a "voice for calm and reconciliation" and condemn those who "endorse or engage in violence."Led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), the letter was signed by 25 other Democrats and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) and Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.).Gottheimer's office told Axios that they are continuing to gather signatures from lawmakers. The letter was first reported by Politico.Between the lines: The Jan. 6 attack has continued to have after-effects on lawmakers nearly four years later, with many speaking out about a surge of politically motivated violence in recent years.The Secret Service is boosting protection for Congress on Jan. 6, 2025, the date it is scheduled to certify the election results.