Washington, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement tonight after Doug Jones was elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in a special election:
“Today, the people of Alabama elected an individual of experience and values to represent them in the United States Senate, and I congratulate Doug Jones on his victory. The voters rebuked claims that a candidate's character matters less than a partisan victory. They made it clear that someone who makes vile statements about LGBT Americans, who remarks that America was at its best when African Americans were enslaved, who offends Muslims and Jews, and who has been accused with strong evidence of preying on teenage girls does not get a pass simply because he promises to vote a certain way once in office.
"I would urge Republicans in the House and Senate to take a hard look at tonight's result and decide whether their present course of division, chaos, and incompetence is the best one for their party. It certainly isn't for our country. I hope they will change direction and work with Democrats to address the challenges we face as a nation together."