Senate majority and minority leaders address joint session
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and minority leader Chuck Schumer have spoken as the joint session of Congress got back underway after a violent attack on the Capitol forced business to stall.
Republican Senator McConnell vowed to certify the winner of the 3 November election before the end of the night.
"While the nation is at war or peace, under all manner of threats, even during an ongoing armed rebellion and the civil war, the clock work of our democracy has carried on," he said.
"The United States and the United States Congress have faced down much greater threats than the unhinged crowd we saw today.
"They tried to disrupt our democracy, they failed. They failed. They failed to attempt to obstruct the congress, this failed insurrection only underscores how crucial the task before us is, for our republic."
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Schumer described 6 January, local time, one of America's "darkest days" that will "live forever in infamy".
"This temple to democracy was desecrated. Its windows smashed, our offices vandalised. The world saw Americans' elected officials hurriedly ushered out because there were in harm's way," he said.
"This will be a stain on our country, not so easily washed away, the final terrible, indelible legacy of the 45th president of the United States, undoubtedly, our worst.
"You want to be very clear: Those who performed the reprehensible acts cannot be called protesters. No, these were rioters and insurrectionists, goons and thugs, domestic terrorists.
"They do not represent America. They were a few thousand violent extremists who tried to take over the Capitol building and attack our democracy. They must and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
Republican Senator McConnell vowed to certify the winner of the 3 November election before the end of the night.
"While the nation is at war or peace, under all manner of threats, even during an ongoing armed rebellion and the civil war, the clock work of our democracy has carried on," he said.
Members of the Congress prepare to evacuate as the joint session is interrupted by violent protesters. Source: Getty / Getty Images
"The United States and the United States Congress have faced down much greater threats than the unhinged crowd we saw today.
"They tried to disrupt our democracy, they failed. They failed. They failed to attempt to obstruct the congress, this failed insurrection only underscores how crucial the task before us is, for our republic."
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Schumer described 6 January, local time, one of America's "darkest days" that will "live forever in infamy".
"This temple to democracy was desecrated. Its windows smashed, our offices vandalised. The world saw Americans' elected officials hurriedly ushered out because there were in harm's way," he said.
"This will be a stain on our country, not so easily washed away, the final terrible, indelible legacy of the 45th president of the United States, undoubtedly, our worst.
"You want to be very clear: Those who performed the reprehensible acts cannot be called protesters. No, these were rioters and insurrectionists, goons and thugs, domestic terrorists.
"They do not represent America. They were a few thousand violent extremists who tried to take over the Capitol building and attack our democracy. They must and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
