WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress prepares to gather to kick off new session, swearing by lawmakers during a tumultuous period as a growing number of Republicans work to nullify Joe Biden’s victory about President Donald Trump and the rise of the coronavirus imposes limits on the Capitol.
Democrat Nancy Pelosi will be re-elected as House speaker on Sunday by its party, which retains the majority in Parliament, but by the smallest margin in 20 years after an election breakdown in November.
Opening the Senate could be one of Mitch McConnell’s last acts as majority leader. Republican control is in question until Tuesday’s second election for two Senate seats in Georgia. The outcome will determine which party occupies the room.
It is often said that a divided government could be a time for legislative compromise, but lawmakers are invading the 117th Congress with the nation more torn than ever, disputing even the basic facts, including that Biden won the presidential election.
Fraud did not taint the 2020 presidential election, a fact confirmed by election officials across the country. Before he stepped down last month, Attorney General William Barr, a Trump-appointed Republican, said fraud had no bearing on the election outcome. The Republican governors of Arizona and Georgia, whose states were critical to Biden’s victory, also stated that their election results were accurate.
Nonetheless, a dozen Republicans have headed for the new Senate, led by Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, and even more members of the House, vowed to become a resistance force against Biden’s White House, beginning with attempts to undermine the will of American voters. These GOP legislators plan to object to the election results when Congress meets on Wednesday to count his 306-232 Electoral College victory over Trump. Vice President Mike Pence chairs the session as President of the Senate and declares the winner.
Pence is facing mounting pressure from Trump’s allies for that ceremonial role. His Chief of Staff, Marc Short, said in a statement Saturday that Pence “welcomes the efforts of members of the House and Senate to use the authority they have under the law to object.”
Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing ahead and eager to work with Biden on shared priorities, starting with efforts to stop the pandemic and economic crisis. They plan to rethink the failed attempt to boost pandemic relief to $ 2,000 for most people.
“This was a moment of great challenge in the United States of America full of trials and tribulations, but help is on the way,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., the chairman of the House Democratic caucus, in an interview.
“America is a resilient nation, full of resilient people,” he said. “We will continue to champion the opportunity that emerged from this pandemic and continue to march toward our more perfect union.”
Among the Republican newcomers to the House is Trump-focused Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, who has given a nod to Q-Anon’s conspiracy theories, and gun rights advocate Lauren Boebert of Colorado, who issued a letter of support to preserve lawmakers’ right to carry firearms in the Capitol.
Taylor Greene belonged to a group of House Republicans led by Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama who visited the White House with Trump during the holiday season about their attempt to reverse the election.
The “Jan. 6 challenge has begun, ”said Taylor Greene in a tweet pinned to the top of her social media account. Boebert also tweeted support for those challenging Biden’s victory.
House Republicans strengthened their position in the November elections, electing a handful of women and minorities more than ever. Some of the new GOP lawmakers have been dubbed the “Freedom Force” and a counterpart to the “squad” – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other liberal Democratic women who came to office during the final session.
Progressive Democrats bolstered their ranks with newcomers aligned with more liberal priorities.
The Capitol itself is a changed place under coronavirus restrictions. Lawmakers are arriving in Washington from all parts of the country who may have been exposed to the virus while traveling.
Several lawmakers have become ill with the virus. A memorial was held Saturday in front of newly elected Republican lawmaker Luke Letlow, 41, of Louisiana, who died of complications from COVID-19 days before sworn in.
The attending physician’s office has issued several lengthy memos warning lawmakers to meet in groups or hold traditional receptions to prevent the spread of the virus. Masks have been worn at all times and Pelosi has demanded that they be used in the living room. Members are required to undergo coronavirus testing and have access to vaccines.
“Do not attend in-person social events, receptions, celebrations, or appointments outside of your family, and always wear a face covering outdoors,” the doctor’s office warned in one memo. “You should strictly avoid any kind of reception or party at the office for the next few days.”
Even traditional swearing-in will be limited in the Chamber. No more big family portraits with new lawmakers taking the oath of office. Instead, each elected representative can bring one guest in accordance with social distance protocols.
The vice president usually swears by the senators.
Pelosi, returning as a speaker, faces a tight race, with the 222-211 House splitting, with one race still undecided and one vacancy following Letlow’s death.
The California Democrat can tolerate some of the dropouts from its ranks, but only a few, with the exception of absences. Some lawmakers have been quarantined after being infected or exposed to the coronavirus. She must win a majority of those in attendance and votes to keep the gavel.