The junior senator from Missouri, who was elected in 2018, said in a statement quote.

Some states, particularly Pennsylvania, failed to follow their own state election laws.

Holly did not provide any evidence for his claims.

A number of Republican lawmakers in the House have said they plan to object to the election results, but Holly is the first U.

S senator to do so.

Biden beat President Donald Trump by a 306 to 2 32 margin in the Electoral College.

Congress is due to make the Electoral College tally official on January 6th in what is largely a ceremonial session.

Holly's objection could trigger hours of debate in the Senate, but has virtually no chance of overturning the results.

Senior Republican senators have said Biden's victory will stand.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Biden's victory on December 15th and has urged other Senate Republicans to refrain from objecting.