If the EC fails to produce a winner (which requires a majority, not just a plurality; they just need to keep Trump Electors from casting their ballots), then the House chooses the President, and the Senate the VP, with each state having a single vote (chosen by majority of the delegation). Amendment 20 allows them to pass law to deal with a candidate death however they see fit (so sacrificing Biden lets them play fast and loose with who they vote for), but both options require them to play games in the Senate. If they can't rig the senate vote, Pence becomes VP and fills in for a missing President, or becomes VP for whoever the House picks (and how long will Biden last?).
They have two obvious plays at this point; 1) the house vote is from the top 3 EC finalists. So expect some Dem Electors to cast a Harris vote for Pres to make her 3rd place so the House can pick her over Biden, to keep Pence from inheriting the office from Biden. 2) Make sure Biden doesn't survive to the vote, so they can easily bump Harris up (either by express legal act, or relying on earlier Constitutional language).
If the EC fails to produce a winner (which requires a majority, not just a plurality; they just need to keep Trump Electors from casting their ballots), then the House chooses the President, and the Senate the VP, with each state having a single vote (chosen by majority of the delegation). Amendment 20 allows them to pass law to deal with a candidate death however they see fit (so sacrificing Biden lets them play fast and loose with who they vote for), but both options require them to play games in the Senate. If they can't rig the senate vote, Pence becomes VP and fills in for a missing President, or becomes VP for whoever the House picks (and how long will Biden last?).
They have two obvious plays at this point; 1) the house vote is from the top 3 EC finalists. So expect some Dem Electors to cast a Harris vote for Pres to make her 3rd place so the House can pick her over Biden, to keep Pence from inheriting the office from Biden. 2) Make sure Biden doesn't survive to the vote, so they can easily bump Harris up (either by express legal act, or relying on earlier Constitutional language).