House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said Sunday that the massive winter storm sweeping the United States would not prevent the U.S. Congress from meeting Monday to formally certify Republican Donald Trump’s election as president.

“The Electoral Count Act requires certification at 1 p.m. on January 6, so whether we have a snowstorm or not, we will make sure it’s done in Congress,” Johnson said in an interview with Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”

Johnson said he still wants all members to attend despite the storm and encouraged lawmakers to stay in town.

The National Weather Service forecast heavy snow and strong winds from the central plains to the mid-Atlantic states. Severe weather warnings have been issued for the eastern United States, including blizzard warnings for parts of Kansas.

In Washington, snow and sleet accumulations are expected to reach 7 to 18 centimeters, making commuting difficult and schools, government and business closures are also possible.

Severe winter weather could wreak havoc in the Washington metropolitan area, which has had mild winters in recent decades and is sometimes unprepared for snow or ice.

Lawmakers of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives returned to Washington on Friday after their winter break, and Republicans met with Johnson on Saturday to discuss legislative priorities. Republicans won control of both chambers in November’s elections.

Other leaders stressed that they were not considering weather delays.

Lauren Fine, communications director for Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, said there were “no changes to the schedule.”