Washington, D.C., is bracing for a significant winter storm that threatens to blanket the nation’s capital with the most snow it’s seen in years—possibly as much as a foot in some areas. The timing couldn’t be worse, with Congress scheduled to certify the 2024 presidential election results on Monday, an event already fraught with political tension.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the D.C. area from 10:00 PM Sunday through 1:00 AM Tuesday, forecasting heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Snowfall rates could reach 1 to 3 inches per hour at the storm’s peak on Monday, with total accumulations expected between 5 and 10 inches. Some localized areas could see up to 12 inches, making travel conditions treacherous and potentially impassable.
The storm is expected to wreak havoc on both morning and evening commutes, with flight cancellations and severe traffic disruptions likely. Despite these challenges, Congress is moving forward with plans to convene for the certification of the election results. Reports suggest that a number of lawmakers left town over the weekend, raising questions about whether a quorum will be present for the crucial session.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a vocal ally of President Trump, took to social media to criticize her colleagues who left the capital ahead of the storm. “January 6th at 1:00 pm Congress must certify President Trump’s historic election,” Greene tweeted. “Many members of Congress left town this weekend even though they were told to stay. I’m here and will walk to the Capitol if I have to.”
Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) also sounded the alarm, urging fellow Republicans to return to Washington. “Unless Elon Musk has figured out how to control the weather, it looks bad. If you are a Republican member of Congress, I’d get to Washington. We have a President Trump to certify,” Burchett wrote.
Despite concerns about absentee lawmakers, former Rep. George Santos reassured the public that the storm would not derail the certification. “Members were sworn in on Friday and advised NOT to go home,” Santos wrote. “I’ve spoken with about 20 members… they are all in D.C. and advised that they have enough people in town to form a quorum.”
As the storm barrels toward the capital, all eyes will be on both the weather and the political process. Whether the snow complicates Monday’s proceedings remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this certification won’t be routine.
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