By Liz Holland

Eastern Shore Congressman Andy Harris was one of several Republican members of the House of Representatives who met to discuss having Vice President Mike Pence reject the 2020 election results, according to the Jan. 6 committee.

“These members of Congress were discussing what would later be known as ‘Eastman theory,’ which was being pushed by attorney John Eastman,” Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a Democratic from Florida, said during Tuesday’s hearing.

Eastman was promoting a plan under which Pence was to reject certified electors during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, according to testimony.

The revelation of Harris’ involvement in what is considered an attempted coup, prompted the two Democratic candidates vying for Harris’ seat in the July 19 primary election to call out the congressman as a “traitor.”

“This should be shocking — but sadly, based on what we know about Andy Harris, it isn’t,” Heather Mizeur said in a news release.

Dave Harden, another Democratic candidate, tweeted: “Andy Harris is a traitor to our democracy.”

Meanwhile, Harris said Wednesday he hasn’t had a chance to watch the hearing.

“I was busy working on important issues like bringing down the price of gas and groceries and securing our communities against violent crime,” he said.

The Dec. 21, 2021, meeting in the Oval Office included Pence, then-President Trump, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and attorney Rudy Giuliani, the committee said during a hearing Tuesday.

In addition to Harris, other GOP House members attending were U.S. Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Matt Gaetz of Florida, and Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who was then a congresswoman-elect, also attended.

The attendees at the meeting were confirmed by White House visitor logs, according to the committee.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone argued Pence lacked the authority to single-handedly block Biden’s victory, according to his recent testimony before the committee. Ultimately, Pence did not follow through with the Eastman plan, although Harris and 146 other lawmakers opposed formal certification of Biden’s win when Congress met on Jan. 6.

Harris has become a controversial figure in Washington after attempting to carry a concealed firearm into the U.S. House Chamber, becoming involved in a House floor skirmish, refusing to validate the results of the presidential election, skipping the House vote on impeachment and declining to attend Biden’s inauguration.

The medically trained anesthesiologist also said a complaint has been filed against him with a physicians’ examiners board for prescribing Ivermectin, a drug used to treat parasites, for Covid-19.

Harris is running unopposed in the July 19 primary for the GOP nomination for a seventh two-year term. Democrats Mizeur and Harden, are competing for their party’s nomination to face Harris in November. Libertarian candidate Daniel Frank Thibeault also will challenge Harris in the general election.