Lebanon PA News

Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon County) has called for peace and unity following the violent attacks at the nation's Capitol. 

“This is really a time for calm. This is a time for a process that's been properly laid out in the Constitution to take place," Ryan said in an interview with Fox43. "Let's all of us remember that at the end of the day we need to work together and try to rebuild the nation and the types of liberties and freedoms that we all have come to enjoy over those years. So, I'm asking everyone to please be calm, stay realistic, and also really wait until the facts come undone.”

He added that the number of people who rioted should not “taint the great civil liberties we have of people to peacefully assemble.”

The attack on the U.S. Capitol occurred as federal lawmakers were gearing up to count the Electoral College votes and officially declare President-elect Joe Biden as the winner of the general election last November.

Protesters stormed the Capitol Building and were able to make their way into the building, where they ended up shattering window panes in doors and eventually made their way into the House chamber. Representatives and senators were evacuated from the building.

Following the attack, some Pennsylvania State Capitol employees have been asked to work from home.

PA House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff together with Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler issued a statement saying election results have always been and must be contested peacefully.

“An objection to the electoral process is within the rights of members of Congress and has been exercised by members from both sides of the aisle at different times in our nation’s history. However, that process leads to debate and dialogue, not violence and mayhem. We strongly condemn any act of violence and destruction and pray for all those impacted today,” read part of the statement.

Dozens of GOP lawmakers and Republican House representatives have said on record said they will no longer be objecting to the Electoral College vote after the Capitol violence. 

President Donald Trump has since condemned the violence and called for peace, promising an orderly transition on Jan. 20.