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Few hours before President Joe Biden was sworn-in, 17 new Republicans in the House of Representatives sent a letter congratulating him, saying they are hopeful they can work across the aisle.
“After two impeachments, lengthy inter-branch investigations, and most recently, the horrific attack on our nation’s capital, it is clear that the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans does not serve a single American,” the letter said.
Among the signatories were two House Republicans who voted to impeach former President, Donald Trump, last week — Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan and David Valadao of California.
A total of 10 House Republicans joined Democrats to back the article of impeachment which convicted Trump of inciting an insurrection on January 6.
But also signing the letter were several other members who voted for one or both challenges to the electoral results that Congress was tasked to certify on the day that a mob of violent pro-Trump protesters attacked the Capitol. Those included Rep. Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma; Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina; Rep. Scott Franklin of Florida; Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida; Rep. Yvette Herrell of New Mexico; Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York; Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama; Rep. Jay Obernolte of California; Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah and Rep. Jerry Carl of Alabama.
The group of 17 represents a small fraction of the 211 members in the House Republican conference, which has been split about recognising Biden’s victory weeks after the election.
In addition, several top Republicans on Capitol Hill have signaled they have concerns with the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that Biden unveiled last week.
The letter cites some areas where they believe there could be some common ground.
“We hope to work with you to extend targeted, meaningful coronavirus relief for families and businesses, protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, strengthen and modernise our infrastructure, enforce our anti-trust laws against emboldened technology monopolies, and restore our economy struggling in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic,” it said.