Trump impeachment trial to start February 9
GOP blockade leaves Democrats not fully in charge of the Senate
There is a deal to begin President Trump's Senate impeachment trial. But there still is not a deal to run the evenly divided Senate in the 117th Congress. And a National Guard Whodunnit. This is a special "Regular Order" for Saturday January 22, 2021.
TRUMP TRIAL. House prosecutors will officially bring the Trump impeachment charge before the Senate on Monday night. But Majority Leader Charles Schumer says there will be two weeks for legal briefs, with opening arguments of the Senate trial getting underway the week of February 8.
GOP-TRUMP. While Republicans proposed a start date of February 15, they still got some of what they wanted in terms of a delay. But some aren't pleased the trial is happening in the first place. "I believe post-presidential impeachments are blatantly unconstitutional," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
SCHUMER GOALS. The delayed start also gives Democrats time to confirm more members of the Biden Cabinet. While Democrats also want to press ahead on a COVID relief bill, that may not be able to happen until after an impeachment trial has been concluded.
NO SENATE DEAL. There’s still no agreement on how to run the 50/50 Senate. GOP Senators want a specific declaration by Democrats that they will not try to get rid of the filibuster in this Congress. Democrats flatly rejected that. So for now, Republicans will stay in charge of Senate committees, even though Democrats are in charge of the Senate. It’s an unprecedented situation that could get sticky.
BIDEN CABINET. The Senate on Friday confirmed Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense. That is the second nomination for President Biden's Cabinet approved this week. The vote was 93 to 2. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) were the only 'no' votes. Hawley and Lee have voted ‘no’ on both Biden nominees so far.
OTHERS ON HOLD. Democrats had hoped to gain the approval of other Biden Cabinet choices on Friday - but GOP Senators would not allow votes to be fast-tracked. Janet Yellen will be approved for Treasury Secretary on Monday. A Senate vote could come next week on Tony Blinken for Secretary of State.
FOR COMPARISON. At this point in his term, President Trump had just two Cabinet nominees confirmed: Defense and Homeland Security. Two more would be approved by the Senate by February 1. So, Biden may get ahead of that pace next week.
NATIONAL GUARD WHODUNNIT. There have been lots of questions, but few answers on why National Guard troops were shuffled into Senate parking garages for their breaks on Thursday. One GOP lawmaker said Friday there was 'clearly a breakdown' - but could only lay the blame on 'unauthorized individuals trying to coordinate space.' Here's the full statement from Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL).
CAPITOL POLICE. The statements from the Capitol Police so far on this have been mushy at best. The USCP has suffered from leadership issues over the years, and is often lacking when it comes to public statements and clarity.
NO MARCH FOR LIFE. Something that was missing from Washington this past week was the March for Life, the large gathering of abortion opponents. Normally, it is scheduled around the January 22, 1973 anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on Roe v Wade. But with the Coronavirus outbreak, the organizers decided on a virtual approach. "We look forward to being together in person next year."
IN THE HOPPER. This week brought the introduction of some bills related to abortion, timed for the Roe v Wade decision. One group of House Republicans offered a measure to bar people from including abortion services in any tax deduction for medical expenses. That's H.R. 380.
THE MUSE OF HISTORY. Ratification of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution was completed on this date in 1933. That amendment changed the date for the convening of a new Congress to January 3, and moved up the inauguration of a new President from March 4 to January 20. The change cleared up an anomaly in the Congressional schedule, where a new Congress would get elected in November, but not meet for the first time until 13 months later, in the first week of December.
UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:
House meets next on Monday at 1:30 pm.
Senate meets Monday at 3 pm.
President Biden is in Washington.
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“Conference reports may be brought up at any time. Any further program will be announced later.”
Jamie, what are the practical consequences of not having cabinet members appointed? What work can and cannot be done?