Democratic lawmaker criticizes idea of overturning Iowa race

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) on Monday criticized the idea of the House potentially overturning the results of a House race in Iowa, calling the prospect “painful for America.”

The congressman was reacting to a report from Politico in which sources told the outlet that efforts were being made to remove GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa) in order for her Democratic opponent Rita Hart to assume office.

“Losing a House election by six votes is painful for Democrats. But overturning it in the House would be even more painful for America. Just because a majority can, does not mean a majority should,” Phillips tweeted.

Losing a House election by six votes is painful for Democrats. But overturning it in the House would be even more painful for America. Just because a majority can, does not mean a majority should. https://t.co/pXaOYBIMue

— Rep. Dean Phillips (@RepDeanPhillips) March 22, 2021

Hart lost the election by six votes, with Iowa election officials certifying Miller-Meeks’s victory in late November. Miller-Meeks had declared beforehand, despite only leading by 48 votes at the time. Hart filed a “Notice of Contest” in the House in December. She argued that there were 22 votes that were incorrectly left out when the vote was recounted.

Hart’s contest has become a point of contention among Democrats and Republicans with both sides accusing the other of hypocrisy due to how former President Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election were handled.

Miller-Meeks has asked Congress to dismiss Hart’s claim, with her attorney Alan Ostergren arguing that Hart was going to the House because she knew her appeal would not stand up to a in-state process.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last week accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) of attempting to “overturn a state-certified election.”

“The outcome was certified. That’s the magic word, certified, that we heard over and over again in November and December. … the process played out in a way that every liberal in America spent November, December and January insisting was beyond question,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.