Our live coverage of the first day of the new Congress has moved here. 27 minutes; 1,948 views; January 20, 2021 Senators Schumer and McConnell Floor Remarks. The House of Representatives and the Senate have convened their first sessions. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy received 209 votes. After that is complete, the newly-elected Senators will be sworn in, perhaps on Jan. 19 when Senate is back in session. Pelosi's gentle admonitions “in the interest of social distancing" prompted laughter on the floor. The update comes after Georgia officially certified the … The Rev. Senators from Georgia Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff walk inside the U.S. Capitol the day after U.S. President Joe Biden's inauguration as the 46th president of … Sen. John Cornyn is ceremoniously sworn-in by Vice President Mike Pence in Washington, DC on January 3. Two special elections for seats held by Republicans were also held in conjunction with the general elections, with one in Arizona to fill the vacancy created by John McCain's death in 2018 and one in Georgia following Johnny Isakson'… New U.S. Pence congratulated the Kentucky Republican and also said, “I have concluded you may have brought the largest bible and Steve Daines may have brought the smallest.". January 3, 2021 is a Sunday. Any “present” vote by a member is considered a nonvote and will reduce the number of total votes Pelosi will need to keep the gavel. Washington [ US ], January 4 (ANI/Sputnik): New members of the US Senate, who were elected in the November vote, are being sworn in on Capitol Hill on Sunday noon … By Alex Rogers, CNN. He noted that the election left Democrats with narrow majorities in both the Senate and House, interpreting it as a signal that voters did not endorse sweeping change. Newly elected and returning House and Senate members took their oaths of office today, marking the official start of the 117th Congress. Newly inaugurated Vice President Kamala Harris, who swore in the senators, will hold a tiebreaking vote in the chamber. We send our deepest sympathy to his wife Julia and their children and are praying for them at this sad time,” Pelosi said. Sen. Tammy Duckworth received one vote, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries received one vote. Any “present” vote by a member is considered a non-vote and will reduce the number of total Pelosi will need to keep the gavel. Of these, 21 were held by Republicans and 12 by Democrats.The winners were elected to six-year terms from January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2027. The 2020 United States Senate elections were held on November 3, 2020, with the 33 class 2 seats of the Senate contested in regular elections. New U.S. JUST WATCHED She went on to say, “But we must do more to recognize our heroes. The House charged him with inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 but has not yet sent the impeachment article to the Senate. 3 new Democratic senators sworn in, flipping control of the Senate. The 80-year-old is now third in the presidential line of succession, after Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Warnock, 51, and Ossoff, 33, won special elections earlier this month that determined control of the Senate. Padilla, 47, was appointed by Gov. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Democrats officially took control of the Senate as Georgia's two new Democratic senators-elect were sworn in Wednesday afternoon, cementing … With Warnock, Ossoff and Padilla sworn in, the party breakdown of the Senate is 50-50. Democrats took control of the Senate on Wednesday when three new members of the party were sworn in, giving a boost to President Joe Biden's ambitions in the White House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi en masse swore in all the House members who had been on the floor for the unexpected recorded vote prompted by Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, challenging seating the delegations. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine voted for Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Pelosi thanked House Democrats for once again electing her, saying, “I thank my Democratic colleagues in the Congress for the confidence you have placed in me by electing me Speaker, and will endeavor to meet the moment with courage, unity and grace.”. The House is still conducting a manual roll call vote on the election of the Speaker. The party now controls the presidency and both chambers of Congress. New U.S. Though Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats will decide what the Senate pursues, they face a challenge in finding Republican support to pass most legislation. The slim majority will give President Joe Biden a boost as he tries to fill out his Cabinet and pass a coronavirus relief package. After losing a dozen seats in 2020, House Democrats are likely to control around 222 seats next term. The House of Representatives and the Senate have convened their first sessions. Six new senators were sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence, along with senators reelected in the November elections. Pelosi also addressed tragedies that have hit particularly close to home for members. Got a confidential news tip? Please enable JavaScript for a better experience. While Democrats have projected confidence Pelosi will have the votes she needs, she can only afford to lose a handful of votes with a razor thin majority. All Republican members supported House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for speaker. Some members did not vote during their time slot and will vote at the end, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Updated at 5:06 p.m. After that is complete, the newly-elected Senators will be sworn in, perhaps on Jan. 19 when Senate is back in session. The move from Roy, who has previously spoken out against his fellow GOPers expected plan to challenge the certification of the electoral votes on Wednesday, is forcing a vote from the House on whether they think the House members should be sworn in, and putting the whole chamber on the record. We want to hear from you. and last updated 3:04 PM, Jan 20, 2021 WASHINGTON — Three new Democratic senators have been sworn in to office by Vice President Kamala Harris. Let us thank our heroes – our health care workers, our first responders, our police and fire, who we have denied support by denying help to state and local government, our transportation, sanitation, food and social workers, and our teachers, our teachers, our teachers. Kelly Loeffler conceded … All Republican members supported House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for Speaker. Newly inaugurated Vice President Kamala Harris, who will hold the chamber's tiebreaking vote, briefly presided over the chamber and swore in the three senators. Some Democrats have called to get rid of the tool to allow bills to pass with a simple majority vote. From CNN's Kristin Wilson, Daniella Diaz and Manu Raju. He wrote along with them, "Change has come to Georgia. I'll be there, sir,” Pence replied. In 2018, 15 Democrats defected from Pelosi but she can only afford to lose a few in 2021. Three new Democratic senators are set to be sworn into office after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday. WASHINGTON — Democrats formally captured Senate control on Wednesday after three new senators were sworn in, giving the party the White House and Congress for the first time in more than a decade.. Georgia runoff winners Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff officially became senators, replacing the two Republicans they defeated. Senate Television via AP It appeared about 300 members were sworn in. Sens. KEY POINTS. 3 new Democratic senators sworn in, flipping control of the Senate. Schumer and McConnell have to come to an agreement on how to carry out Senate business in the coming weeks. New Georgia Senators Could Be Sworn In Just In Time For Impeachment Vote. Senators from Georgia Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff walk inside the U.S. Capitol the day after U.S. President Joe Biden’s inauguration as … Mitch McConnell No Longer Controls The Senate After Georgia's Democratic Senators Were Sworn In. We owe them more.”. While we wait for the new Georgia senators to be sworn … After surprise concessions from … After serving 17 years as the House Democratic leader, Pelosi is running unopposed. The entire "Squad" voted for Pelosi as well, including Rep.-elects Cori Bush and Jaamal Bowman, and Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. All Rights Reserved. McConnell's office has said that, as part of a deal, he wants to ensure the Senate preserves the filibuster. Pelosi is running unopposed in her election after serving for 17 years as the leader of the House Democrats. Because former Senator David Perdue's term ended on January 3, 2021, he is no longer representing the Peach State. Kelly Loeffler conceded … Speaking after Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said "I congratulate my friend from Delaware and look forward to working with him as our new president wherever possible." Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., was already sworn in on Dec. 2. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock officially give Democrats tiebreaking power in the Senate. Biden hopes the Senate can spend part of its time on the impeachment trial while still confirming executive branch nominees. Cornyn laughed and added: “We’ll get through it.". ET. "We have a lengthy agenda, and we need to get it done together. Nancy Pelosi has secured the votes she needed to win the Speaker's gavel (more than 214 votes). “With President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, who were elected two months ago from today, the House will continue our work to save lives and livelihoods, to build back better in a way that advances justice in America,” Pelosi said. The House has just officially reelected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to another term with 216 members voting for her. Gavin Newsom to fill Harris' Senate seat when she resigned to become vice president. The House has begun the manual roll call vote on the election of the Speaker of the House. The vote was nearly unanimous to proceed. Members will be sworn in by groups, beginning with first-term members-elect. The Senate also has to set a structure for an impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Updated 5:59 PM ET, Wed January 20, 2021 . Schumer noted that Warnock was born when two "staunch segregationists" represented Georgia in the Senate. “Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine voted for Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania voted for Hakeem Jeffries. Section 1 says that the term of the new Congress begins on January 3rd, but that is not the same thing as actually meeting and being sworn in. That means their party now has … After the election of the Speaker of the House, the House will begin the swearing-in of members and delegates. Three new Democratic senators have been sworn in to office by Vice President Kamala Harris. Members-elect were meant to be the first of seven groups to be sworn in, but Pelosi told members that anyone on the floor could be sworn in with them, and that prompted a swelling of members at the chamber doors. McCarthy spoke shortly after Nancy Pelosi was re-elected as House Speaker for the new Congress. The winners were elected to six-year terms from January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2027. Two weeks ago, we passed an emergency relief package to crush the virus and put money in the pockets of workers and families, which is now the law,” Pelosi said. The United States Senate will convene for the 117th Congress on Sunday, January 3. Each member will be called individually, in alphabetical order, by the clerk, by groups. In a reference to the fact that House Democrats lost multiple seats in the November elections and now have a narrow majority, McCarthy said, “Given the message the American people sent to Washington: the grip is slim and the majority is slimmer.”, A mixture of boos as well as some clapping could be heard in the chamber after McCarthy said, “When unrest spilled into the cities and communities across the country, did we deliver safety that Americans wanted or did we let calls to defund the police intimidate us from protecting life, liberty and property?”. Reps. Mikie Sherrill, Abigail Spanberger and Elissa Slotkin voted present. The New York Democrat said the Democratic Senate will "do business differently," moving to address coronavirus relief, systemic racism and climate change. “In this chamber two years ago, the Speaker spoke of a new dawn for the middle class. Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, challenging seating the delegations, expected plan to challenge the certification, statement released shortly after his objection. The two Senate races drew the eyes of America and the world to … Change is coming to America.". During some of the most challenging times for our country, I felt Congress was on the sidelines,” McCarthy said. 3 new Democratic senators sworn in, flipping control of the Senate. Three new Democratic senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Alex Padilla of California, were sworn in on Wednesday. Six new senators were sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence, along with senators reelected in the November elections. They make our lives possible at the state and local level, and will facilitate the distribution of the vaccine in a fair and equitable manner. "[I]t would confound basic human reason if the presidential results were to face objection while the congressional results of the same process escaped without public scrutiny," Roy said in a statement released shortly after his objection. The Texas Republican was referring to the joint session of Congress that Pence will preside over on Jan. 6 where they’ll meet to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s win, and challenges to the results are expected. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, seen here during a campaign event in Georgia on Jan. 4, were sworn in as U.S. senators by Vice President Harris on Wednesday afternoon. Democrats officially took control of the Senate as Georgia's two new Democratic senators-elect were sworn in Wednesday afternoon, cementing a 50-50 split, with Vice President Harris serving as the tiebreaking vote in her new role as president of the the Senate. Two Democrats voted against Pelosi today during the speaker vote. He becomes the first Latino senator from California. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - New members of the US Senate, who were elected in the November vote, are being sworn in on Capitol Hill on Sunday noon as lawmakers convened to form the 117th Congress. Here's a look at the members who opposed Pelosi in 2019 and how they voted today: From CNN's Daniella Diaz, Lauren Fox and Kristin Wilson. Raphael Warnock will be sworn in as Georgia's newest senators by soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris after the inauguration.