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Politics
Lindsay Chervinsky, Senior Fellow, Center for Presidential History, Southern Methodist University

Mike Pence's actions on Jan. 6 were wholly unremarkable – until they saved the nation

Vice President Mike Pence returned to the House chamber to finish the process of counting the electoral votes in the early morning of Jan. 7, 2021. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

New revelations from the congressional committee investigating the events on and leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol show the crucial role then-Vice President Mike Pence played in thwarting the insurrection – and reveal the principles behind his actions.

The 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads “the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted.” Under the Constitution, the vice president also serves as president of the Senate.

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