- Details
- By Levi Rickert
WASHINGTON — The six Native Americans serving in the 117th Congress cast their votes down party lines on Wednesday to certify the Electoral College tallies presented from all 50 states.
During the course of the 15-hour process that included a recess because of the pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol, members of Congress voted on two objections to throw out Electoral College votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania.
In the end, the yea votes for the objections were rejected by the House of Representatives.
Here is how the Native American members of Congress voted on the objections:
Rep. Tom Cole, (R-OK) – Chickasaw Nation - Yea
Rep. Sharice Davids, (D-KS) – Ho-Chunk Nation - Nay
Rep. Yvette Herrell, (R-NM) – Cherokee - Yea
Rep. Kahele, (D-HI) – Native Hawaiian - Nay
Rep. Deb Haaland, (D-NM), Laguna Pueblo - Nay
Rep. Markwayne Mullin, (R-OK), Cherokee - Yea
Rep. Tom Cole
“On behalf of my constituents, I am casting my vote against certification of the Electoral College’s count of the presidential election results. The greatest function of a representative is being elected to represent the views of one’s constituency. I have been closely studying this issue and listening intently to what my constituents have to say. The voters I represent are not concerned about the fairness of elections in Oklahoma. However, they are concerned about fairness and transparency in other states. They have asked me to express their concerns with my vote on the floor today, and as their representative, I intend to do so.”
Rep. Deb Haaland
Haaland, who was nominated by President-elect Biden to serve as the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior last month, will serve in Congress until her nomination by the U.S. Senate is confirmed.
She released the following statement on Thursday morning:
“The peaceful transition of power from one president to the next, no matter the party, is a cornerstone of our democracy and part of what makes our country great. The mob that brought violence to the Capitol today attacked who we are as a country, but did not stop us from fulfilling our Constitutional duty.
“My vote reflects the will of the people – President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris decisively won the 2020 election with resounding support for their vision to build back better in the face of the challenges our country is facing. I’m grateful to the volunteers, poll workers, and election officials who tirelessly worked to protect our electoral process.”
Rep. Yvette Herrell
Herrell was elected to Congress to serve New Mexico’s 2nd congressional district. Before she was sworn in on Sunday, she released the following statement on her Facebook page on New Year’s Eve:
"Millions of Americans feel like this election was not conducted with integrity and fairness. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, it is my duty to give the people a voice and ensure that legitimate concerns over the integrity of the presidential election are thoroughly heard and examined."
Rep. Markwayne Mullin
Mullin joined with 36 Republican members of Congress in releasing a lengthy statement prior to yesterday’s congressional session.
“In the joint session of Congress today, we will vote to sustain objections to slates of electors submitted by states we believe clearly violated the Constitution in the presidential election of 2020. This is our solemn duty, and our position on this threshold legal question has been widely known and published for weeks,” the statement read. CLICK to read the entire statement.
Rep. Sharice Davids and Rep. Kaiali’I Kahele did not release statements regarding their support for the Electoral College certification.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
$38 Million in Cobell Settlement Funds Are Still Available
Calfornia Gov. Newsom Announces $15 Million in Grants to Support Tribal Economic Development and Job Creation
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
