In an effort to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 presidential election, more than 30 House members, including six Republicans, have signed a bipartisan pledge to respect and uphold the results. This initiative, dubbed the “unity commitment,” is spearheaded by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.).
A Bipartisan Push for Election Integrity
The pledge aims to ensure that all participating lawmakers commit to certifying the election results in January 2025 and attending the inauguration ceremony. The signatories also vow to be a voice for calm and reconciliation and to speak out against violence or those endorsing it. This comes as concerns grow about Congress’ role in the certification process, especially given the turbulent events surrounding the 2020 election.
Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, emphasized the importance of respecting the electoral process: “In America, we respect election results especially once the courts and appeals work through the process.”
Republicans Join the Commitment
The six Republican signatories—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.)—have all aligned themselves with this pledge. Importantly, none of these Republicans were among the 139 House members who voted against certifying President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020.
Concerns Over Trump and Future Elections
This bipartisan effort follows Donald Trump’s continued claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him, raising concerns that he could encourage his supporters to block certification again if he loses the 2024 election. While Trump remains at the center of these discussions, some Republicans have pointed to Democratic figures like Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who has questioned Trump’s eligibility to run under the Fourteenth Amendment.
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