- Despite one of the most tumultuous days

in the history of the U.S. Capitol,

lawmakers, determined to do their duty,

worked late into the nightto count each state's votes

and certify President-ElectJoe Biden's victory.

- The report we make

is that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

will be the presidentand the vice president,

according to the ballotsthat have been given to us.

- [Jenna] The end of a long, turbulent day

that began hours earlier

with the president addressingthousands of supporters

and calling on Vice President Mike Pence

to disqualify somestate's electoral votes.

- Because if Mike Pencedoes the right thing,

we win the election.

- [Jenna] At almost the same time, Pence,

who's president of the Senate,

released a statement refusing to do so.

"My oath to support anddefend the Constitution

constrains me from claimingunilateral authority

to determine which electoralvotes should be counted

and which should not."

That, followed by a moving speech

from Senate MajorityLeader Mitch McConnell,

on why it would be wrongto overturn the election.

- The voters, the courts,

and the states have all spoken.

They've all spoken.

If we overrule them,

it would damage our republic forever.

- [Jenna] But still agroup of Republican House

and Senate members went forward

with their objections to state electors.

- My challenge today

is not about the good people of Arizona.

(gavel thumping)

- [Member] And we'll stay in a recess

until the call of the chair.

- We'll pause.- Protesters

are in the building.- Thank you.

- [Jenna] That's when the chaos ensued.

Lawmakers hunkered down behindlocked doors and armed guards

and told to don gas masks

before being evacuated from the building.

Hours later, after theCapitol was cleared,

leaders announcing they'd beregathering in the evening

to finish the job.

- To those who wreakedhavoc in our Capitol today,

you did not win.

- We will not bow tolawlessness or intimidation.

- [Jenna] Several lawmakerswithdrew their objections

to certification.

Senator Mitt Romney commending them

for their move toward unity.

- The best way we can show respect

for the voters who are upset,

is by telling them the truth.

(members clapping)

That's the burden. That'sthe duty of leadership.

- Not all lawmakers droppedtheir objections though,

so the debate continuedinto the early morning hours

until the votes were certified.

President-Elect Bidentakes office, January 20th.

In Washington, Jenna Browder, CBN News.