Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy urges Congress to certify Biden win: 'Voters have spoken'

Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy joined a bipartisan group of colleagues Sunday urging Congress to certify President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win.

Cassidy split with fellow Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy in his effort to block certification.

Cassidy and Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah joined four Democrats and an Independent in saying "voters have spoken."

"The 2020 election is over," the group said in a joint statement. "All challenges through recounts and appeals have been exhausted. At this point, further attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election are contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people and only serve to undermine Americans’ confidence in the already determined election results.

"Congress must now fulfill its responsibility to certify the election results." 

Congress meets Wednesday to certify Biden's Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.

Objections in the Senate and House will trigger an automatic debate, but the effort is almost certainly doomed, with majorities in both chambers in favor of certification.

President Trump and his allies have alleged widespread voter fraud and have filed scores of lawsuits challenging the results to no avail. Courts have dismissed nearly 60 such cases because of a lack of evidence.

Kennedy and 10 others announced Saturday they will join Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri in objecting.

▶Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy seeks to block Joe Biden's Electoral College win

▶Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies from COVID complications at 41

Louisiana 3rd District Republican Congressman Clay Higgins announced Thursday he plans to likewise lodge an objection from the House side. 

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and others in GOP leadership have discouraged the action and asked their colleagues to reconsider for fear of causing a split in the Republican Party.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.