US Congress accepts Electoral College result; clears way for Biden to become president

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaks about the protests taking place in and around the U.S. Capitol in Washington as the U.S. Congress held a joint session to certify the 2020 election results, at a news conference at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON — Democrat Joe Biden was cleared to be sworn in as U.S. president on January 20 when Vice President Mike Pence declared that Congress had confirmed the Electoral College tally of states’ results that showed Biden the winner of the November 3 contest against incumbent President Donald Trump.

After Congress approved Vermont’s votes, Biden secured at least the 270 Electoral College votes that are the minimum for claiming the presidency.

Congress’ review of the states’ Electoral College votes was interrupted earlier on Wednesday by Trump supporters storming the Capitol Building.