Trump shadow hangs over start of 117th Congress

GOP infighting grows over challenge to Electoral Votes later this week

Trump electoral vote fight looms as the 117th Congress convenes. Some absent Republicans could help insure Nancy Pelosi is re-elected Speaker. Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) becomes an ex-Senator today. This is "Regular Order" for January 3, 2021.

TRUMP ELECTION FIGHT DOMINATES NEW CONGRESS. Two months after Election Day, President Trump's refusal to concede defeat still hangs over Capitol Hill, as the 117th Congress convenes at 12 noon. A dozen GOP Senators have now said they will make official objections to the counting of Electoral Votes later this week, even though the Senators have no evidence of fraud. "Congress should immediately appoint an Electoral Commission," eleven GOP Senators wrote on Saturday, asking for "an emergency 10-day audit of the election returns in the disputed states."

• THE GOP ELECTION DOZEN. The Republican Senators who say they will challenge the Electoral Votes are: Hawley MO, Cruz TX, Daines MT, Johnson WI, Lankford OK, Kennedy LA, Blackburn TN, Hagerty TN, Tuberville AL, Marshall KS, Lummis WY, and Braun IN. Their push is creating even more GOP infighting over the election results. "The egregious ploy to reject electors may enhance the political ambition of some, but dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic," Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said Saturday night.

NARROW MARGINS HIGHLIGHT NEW CONGRESS. Instead of 235 Democrats after the 2018 elections, Speaker Nancy Pelosi starts the 117th Congress with 222 - just four more seats than a bare majority of 218 in the U.S. House. Two years ago, 15 Democrats refused to vote for Pelosi for Speaker. This time, Pelosi cannot afford to lose more than a handful of Democrats. But with the recent death of one GOP Congressman-Elect, the Coronavirus illness of a new Republican from Florida, and questions about the health of several others, every absent GOP lawmaker ironically makes it easier for Pelosi to secure a majority for Speaker today.

• PERDUE LOSES HIS SENATE SEAT AT NOON. The oddities of the Georgia runoffs hit the U.S. Senate today, as the term of Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) will expire at 12 noon. Perdue can obviously win his seat back on Tuesday. As for Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), since she was appointed to her seat by the Governor of Georgia, Loeffler stays in the Senate, at least for now. So, the Senate on this first day of the 117th Congress will have 99 members.

HOUSE RULES FINE PRINT. As the House votes today on a changes to the rules for the 117th Congress, there are a couple of items to note. One provision bars lawmakers - and staff - from sending out "any image, video, or audio file that has been distorted or manipulated with the intent to mislead the public." The rules also have new protections for whistleblowers. And the package authorizes 'such sums as may be necessary' for investigations of contested House elections. That is likely to include Iowa-2, and New York-22.

• ONE UNDECIDED HOUSE RACE REMAINS. Speaking of the 22nd District of New York, no one will be sworn in to fill that seat today, as the vote counting - and the legal battling - continues. Ex-Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) currently leads by 29 votes over Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), with the lead going back and forth while disputed ballots are reviewed. Last week Brindisi led by 14 votes. The vote counting resumes in court on Monday.

CONVENING ON A SUNDAY. This is the first time lawmakers have convened a new Congress on a Sunday. While the Constitution first set March 4 - later amended to January 3 - for the start of a new Congress, the practice has been to delay that gathering when it falls on a weekend. For example in 2009, Jan. 3 was a Saturday, so Congress convened the next Tuesday. The last time Jan. 3 was on a Sunday was in 1965, as Congress waited until the next day to convene. The last time Congress convened on a Saturday was in 1953. Little facts to amaze your friends with.

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:

House meets at 10 am to adjourn the 116th Congress sine die, then at 12 noon to convene the 117th Congress.

Senate meets at 11:45 am to adjourn the 116th Congress sine die, then at 12 noon to convene the 117th Congress.

President Trump is in Washington.

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