GOP’s Rice says he regrets Jan. 6 vote against Biden’s election

Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) told Politico on Wednesday he wishes he had certified the electoral votes of several states that voted for President Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

“In retrospect I should have voted to certify,” Rice reportedly said. “Because President Trump was responsible for the attack on the Capitol.”

The South Carolina Republican alleged that Trump “did nothing to stop” the attack on Jan. 6 and looked on at the unfolding events “with pride,” and from afar, Politico reported.

Rice told the news outlet that he only voted against certifying the electoral votes of several states because he had publicly announced his intent to do so and did not want to go back on his word. 

“In the wee hours of that disgraceful night, while waiting for the Capitol of our great country to be secured, I knew I should vote to certify. But because I had made a public announcement of my intent to object, I did not want to go back on my word. So yeah, I regret my vote to object,” Rice told Politico.

However, he added he still thinks there were “real issues with the election.”

Rice was among 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump, calling the former president’s behavior during the Jan. 6 riot “inexcusable” in a statement in January.

“I have backed this President through thick and thin for four years. I campaigned for him and voted for him twice. But, this utter failure is inexcusable,” Rice said at the time.

The Jan. 6 riot and impeachment vote have driven a wedge among members of the party, and two other House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump — Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) — have already announced they will not be seeking reelection.

The Hill has reached out to Rice’s office for further comment.