WASHINGTON — Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James made the following statement about the upcoming action in Congress about the presidential election results.

“As prescribed by the Constitution, Congress will meet this week to count the electoral votes and declare the results of the presidential election. This process allows members of the Senate and House of Representatives to affirm or object to the electoral vote returns of individual states.

“We must allow this process to play out in accordance with the Constitution. I welcome any effort to examine the facts and to shine a bright light of transparency on the electoral process.

“The American people deserve election results they can trust. That only works when America has a secure, transparent, and peaceful vote-counting process. Every legal vote must count and every elected official has the duty to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution. The functioning of our republic depends on accurate and reliable election results.

“Soon this Electoral College process will be complete. It’s a system that has served our country well for more than 200 years. Only after Congress has acted and all objections are heard will America have a new president. Regardless of the outcome, The Heritage Foundation stands ready to work on behalf of the American people to advance conservative policies.”

As the nation’s largest, most broadly supported conservative research and educational institution, The Heritage Foundation has been leading the American conservative movement since our founding in 1973. More than 500,000 dues-paying members support our vision to build an America where freedom, prosperity, opportunity, and civil society flourish.