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A2 UP FRONT
Saturday 5 February 2022
Continued from Front Pence was exceptionally
And on Sunday, he blasted deferential to him, never
Pence, falsely declaring publicly voicing disagree-
that "he could have over- ment and defending even
turned the Election!" his most controversial ac-
Vice presidents play only tions.
a ceremonial role in the Pence has so far tried to
the counting of Electoral thread a needle on his ac-
College votes, and any tions Jan. 6, which continue
attempt to interfere in the to enrage large portions of
count would have repre- Trump's base, posing a po-
sented a profound break tential complication if he
from precedent and dem- runs for president in 2024.
ocratic norms. In recent months, he has
Pence, in his remarks Friday, generally refrained from
described Jan. 6, 2021, as voluntarily raising the
"a dark day in the history of events of that day but has
the United States Capitol" defended his actions when
and framed his actions that pressed, saying he was
day as in line with his duty abiding by his constitution-
as a constitutional conser- al role and was "proud" of
vative. the actions taken by Con-
"The American people Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Conroe, Texas. gress that day.
must know that we will al- Associated Press "I will always be proud that
ways keep our oath to the we did our part on that
Constitution, even when it stitution, I had no right to moments before the session der growing scrutiny from tragic day to reconvene
would be politically expe- change the outcome of got underway that made the House committee in- the Congress and fulfilled
dient to do otherwise," he our election. And Kamala clear he had no authority vestigating the attack. The our duty under the Consti-
told the group Friday. He Harris will have no right to to overturn the will of the panel has interviewed hun- tution and the laws of the
noted that, under Article II overturn the election when voters, was rushed to safe- dreds of witnesses, issued United States," he said in
Section One of the Consti- we beat them in 2024." ty as some rioters chanted dozens of subpoenas and one speech last year.
tution, "elections are con- The audience applauded "Hang Mike Pence!" obtained reams of gov- He has also accused Dem-
ducted at the state level, Pence's line about beating Pence, in his remarks Friday, ernment documents that ocrats and the media of
not by the Congress" and the Democrats in the up- acknowledged the linger- Trump tried to keep hidden. continuing to focus on the
that "the only role of Con- coming presidential elec- ing anger among many in It also comes as a bipar- insurrection to score politi-
gress with respect to the tion, but remained silent Trump's base, even as he tisan group of lawmakers cal points against Repub-
Electoral College is to open when Pence said earlier said it was time "to focus on has been pushing to up- licans and divert attention
and count votes submitted that "Trump is wrong." the future." date the Electoral Count from Biden's agenda.
and certified by the states. Pence was inside the Capi- "The truth is, there's more Act to eliminate any ambi- Pence has been travel-
No more, no less." tol on Jan. 6, presiding over at stake than our party or guity about the vice presi- ing the country, visiting
He went on to call out those the joint session of Congress political fortunes," he said. dent's role. early voting states, deliv-
who have insisted that isn't to certify the presidential "Men and women, if we While a basic declaration ering speeches and host-
the case. "Frankly there is election, when a mob of lose faith in the Constitu- of fact, Pence's decision to ing fundraisers for midterm
no idea more un-American Trump's supporters violently tion, we won't just lose elec- describe Trump as "wrong" candidates. Pence, unlike
than the notion that any smashed inside, assaulting tions — we'll lose our coun- was especially significant some possible 2024 presi-
one person could choose police officers and hunting try." given Pence's own pos- dential contenders, has no-
the American president," down lawmakers. Pence, Trump's escalating rhetoric ture in the White House. tably declined to rule out
he added. "Under the Con- who had released a letter comes as he has been un- As Trump's vice president, running against Trump.q

IRS offering Saturday walk-in help this tax season

ond Saturday of the next four ing Child Tax Credit payments.
months, the agency said Friday. People visiting the IRS should bring
This comes after the IRS nixed photo IDs, social security cards for
walk-in visits during the pandem- all household members and any
ic, and limited service to appoint- IRS letters or notices.
ments only. The agency announced earlier
Beginning Feb. 12, taxpayers will this week that it is reassigning 1,200
be able to have their questions workers to help process tax returns.
answered in person at centers in The agency has been struggling
locations including Birmingham, to administer pandemic programs
Alabama; Los Angeles, Washing- with historically low staffing levels
ton D.C. and Seattle. Other Sat- while processing multiple seasons'
urday sessions will be offered on tax returns.
March 12, April 9 and May 14. The During the 2020 budget year, the

This April 13, 2014, file photo shows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) head- effort is meant to help taxpay- IRS processed more than 240 mil-
quarters building in Washington. ers who need face-to-face assis- lion tax returns and issued roughly
Associated Press tance, said Sue Simon, a director $736 billion in refunds, including
of customer assistance at the IRS $268 billion in stimulus payments,
By FATIMA HUSSEIN son. who will also serve as a Saturday according to the latest IRS data.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS will Thirty-five tax assistance centers volunteer. She said people who In that same time frame, some 59
begin offering taxpayers limited around the country will be open don't traditionally file taxes may million people called or visited an
Saturday walk-in help this tax sea- from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. on the sec- need help claiming credits includ- IRS office.q