After Questioning Election, Calvert Pledges To Work With Biden

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Immediately following the inauguration Wednesday of Joe Biden as the 46th U.S. President, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-42nd Congressional District) issued a statement pledging to work with the new administration while promising to push "priorities" for his conservative base in Corona, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Wildomar, portions of Temecula, and other nearby cities and unincorporated areas that he represents in the U.S. House.

“The transfer of power in our executive branch of government is one of the most powerful and fundamental elements of our American republic," Calvert said. "The inauguration of Joe Biden is a reminder to all Americans that our nation continues to be rooted in the values embedded in the Constitution."

Calvert, who voted to deny certification of election results from Arizona and Pennsylvania — states where President Biden defeated former President Donald Trump — praised Biden's love of country and the future ahead.

"President Biden is no stranger. I have known and worked with him when he served in Congress. He loves our country deeply and while we may not always agree on how to get there, we both want a brighter future for America. That’s why I pledge to work with the new administration in good faith as we strive to form a more perfect union. I am committed to working with the Biden administration in the weeks and months ahead as we strive to put an end to the ongoing pandemic," Calvert said.

Calvert laid out a roadmap that outlined his agenda.

"A priority must be the continued rapid distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines to Americans and re-opening our schools and economy as soon as safely possible. We must also work together to build upon the positive gains we have made in the past four years in rebuilding our military, improving readiness, and reducing our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, while ensuring another ISIS does not fill a power vacuum in that part of the world," the congressman said.

As the Ranking Republican on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Calvert said he will continue to work "in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues and the Biden Administration to ensure our military has the resources necessary to keep America safe. I also believe there is plenty of room for bipartisan agreement on improving our highways and cleaning our air and water.

"Just as President Biden will advocate for the agenda he outlined to voters, I too will advocate for the conservative priorities voters sent me to the House of Representatives to pursue," Calvert continued. "I will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility, an assertive stance towards China, pro-law enforcement policies, fiscal responsibility, and an end to illegal immigration."

The congressman closed with political rhetoric typical of many GOP leaders, and called on his base to unite against what he called a "liberal agenda."

"It's time to get to work," he said.