Senate Majority Leader McConnell rejects claims of massive election fraud

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delivered a forceful statement on the Senate floor Wednesday in opposition to President Trump's claims that he lost the November presidential election due to voter fraud. 

McConnell, who has been in the Senate for 36 years, told his colleagues that he does not believe a level of voter fraud during the election existed that was "anywhere neat the massive scale that would have tipped this entire election."

"I will vote to respect the people's decision and defend out system of government as we know it ... The voters, the courts, and the states have all spoken. If we overrule them, it would damage our republic forever," said the Senator in as impassioned a tone as he ever strikes on the floor. 

"I believe protecting our constitutional order requires respecting limits on our own power," said McConnell. The longtime lawmaker has, until now, remained relatively silent on the subject of the president's ongoing allegations of massive voter fraud. 

Earlier in the day, Vice President Mike Pence said he will not take unilateral action to contest the results of the election, despite calls to from the president.