Senate starts 2021 with procedural vote on Trump veto

Meanwhile, internal GOP schism grows over Jan. 6 Electoral Vote challenge

Welcome to the New Year! The Senate begins 2021 with a holiday vote. GOP infighting grows in Congress over the counting of Electoral Votes. And another first for women on Capitol Hill. This is "Regular Order" for January 1, 2021.

SENATORS GOT A GOOD NIGHT OF SLEEP. Despite talk earlier in the week, there was no all-night filibuster on New Year's Eve about Coronavirus relief. The Senate adjourned before 4 pm, giving Senators (and staff) more than enough time to stop by some Capitol Hill establishment which specializes in liquid refreshments. Democrats did force Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to again block efforts to approve the $2,000 COVID relief checks bill already approved by the House.

• DEFENSE BILL VETO UPDATE. Without getting too deep into the rules, the Senate will vote today to shut off debate on whether to override President Trump's veto of a major defense bill. Assuming that motion passes, the Senate will then have up to 30 hours of debate. If all the debate time is used - the final veto override vote would take place around 7:30 pm on Saturday night. The 117th Congress convenes at 12 noon on Sunday.

REPUBLICANS FRACTURE OVER ELECTORAL VOTES. The GOP schism between the House and Senate is growing over how to deal with the January 6 Electoral Vote count in Congress. "We, the People, will not stand idly by," said Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), as many House Republicans want a show of support for President Trump. Over in the Senate, it's a different story. "When we talk in private, I haven’t heard a single Congressional Republican allege that the election results were fraudulent – not one," wrote Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE). The GOP House-Senate divide is like a growing earthquake fault.

FIRST WOMAN AS HOUSE CHAPLAIN. Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben will be the first woman to ever serve as House Chaplain, as that appointment was announced Thursday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Kibben has served as the U.S. Navy's Chief Chaplain and the Chaplain of the Marine Corps. "Her integrity, experience and patriotism will serve the Congress and the Country well, as she ministers to the needs of Members," Pelosi said in a statement.

LEGISLATIVE NERD NOTE. While the House had no legislative business on the schedule for New Year's Eve, nine bills were approved on the floor by unanimous consent, sending them on to President Trump for his signature. That's often how the Senate disposes of non-controversial legislation - a process known as "wrap up" - but it is done much less often in the House. The bills included one measure, S. 5076 — "To authorize the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to delegate authority to approve payroll and personnel actions."

THE MUSE OF HISTORY. As the the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2013, during work on the 'fiscal cliff,' the U.S. Capitol was not in legislative mode. Instead, it was party time. It literally seemed like everyone in the halls was carrying a bottle of something. The press galleries were a giant party. I will never forget the sound in the halls after midnight. It was the sound of happiness, eight years ago today.

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:

House next meets on Sunday.

Senate meets at 12 noon. Cloture vote expected at 1 pm.

President Trump is back at the White House.

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“Conference reports may be brought up at any time. Any further program will be announced later.”