What to anticipate when the 119th Congress is sworn in amid speakership uncertainty

The 119th Congress convenes on Friday amid an enormous shift of energy in Washington as Republicans take management of each chambers of Congress forward of President-elect Donald Trump being sworn in on Jan. 20.

The primary order of enterprise within the Home will probably be to elect its speaker — a course of that has created excessive drama in recent times.

Republicans maintained management of the Home within the November elections, however will maintain a traditionally slim margin. Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana seems to have the help of the vast majority of his convention — and the endorsement of Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire donor who has been advising the president-elect. Nevertheless it’s not essentially locked in that Johnson will safe the gavel on the primary poll. GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has mentioned he’ll vote towards Johnson, which means Johnson can solely afford another defection from his convention. At the least 17 Republicans say they’re undecided, by an ABC Information depend.

Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries has mentioned Democrats will not assist Johnson get elected.

How is the speaker elected?

Johnson will want a majority of these current and voting to stay speaker. Which means the quantity begins at 218. The official majority will probably be decided after the opening of Congress; the clerk reads the official variety of certificates of election obtained and that’s used to find out a majority and members document their presence throughout a quorum name.

The straightforward majority can change relying on any absent members or if members vote “current” — which might decrease the edge wanted.

Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress in November after Trump picked him to be his legal professional normal earlier than later withdrawing, is probably the most intriguing wild card.

Gaetz has toyed with the prospect of returning to the Capitol to take part within the speaker’s vote and create one final dose of congressional chaos. The Home Ethics Committee launched a report on its investigation into Gaetz over violations of Home guidelines after he left the Home, however he was reelected in November earlier than resigning.

If Gaetz would not return on Friday, which is the possible situation, then the entire variety of the Home will probably be 434 members with 219 Republicans and 215 Democrats. This implies, Johnson can’t afford to lose multiple defection — a second would block him from getting the gavel.

Democratic Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who underwent hip alternative surgical procedure in December, posted on X that she will probably be on the Capitol for the speaker vote.

What occurs if Johnson loses the vote?

The Home will proceed to vote till a speaker is elected as a result of with out one, it may possibly’t conduct any enterprise, like certifying Trump’s presidential election outcomes on Monday. The Home might vote on a decision to approve a speaker by plurality — probably the most votes of any given candidate. However this may very well be harmful for Republicans and is unlikely. All Democrats are anticipated to vote for Jeffries.

Usually, the opening day within the Home lasts roughly 2 1/2 hours. Nonetheless, after the best way issues went two years in the past when it took Kevin McCarthy 15 rounds of voting to turn out to be speaker, something is feasible.

Listed below are different occasions the Home has struggled to elect a speaker:

2023: McCarthy was elected on the fifteenth strive. Months later he was ousted by Gaetz and 7 different Republican members.

1923: Fredrick Huntington Gillet grew to become speaker after 9 rounds of votes. That will sound like loads, however the longest operating contest was…

1856: Nathaniel Prentice Banks of Massachusetts had served only one time period in Congress. Upon reelection as a member of the American Celebration, he was elected speaker after 133 ballots — a course of that took practically two months, based on the Home Historian.

1849: The Home was in session 19 days with out with the ability to elect a speaker, with no candidate having obtained a majority of the votes. Lastly, after the 59th poll, the Home adopted a decision declaring {that a} speaker may very well be elected by a plurality.

Does the speaker must be a member of Congress?

No. The Structure doesn’t dictate that the speaker be a member, both present or former. In truth, the speaker is meant to steer the entire Home, not only one social gathering. Some Republicans have instructed Musk as speaker.

At this time’s schedule within the Home

Midday: Home gavels in, holds a recorded quorum name.

12:45-1 p.m.: Speaker election begins.

TBD: Swearing-in of members and delegates after a speaker is elected.

TBD: Adopting guidelines bundle of 119th Congress.

On the Senate facet

In contrast to the Home, Senate management is already set forward of Friday. And although the brand new Congress is definite to deliver with it a number of massive moments — a brand new Republican majority, spearheaded by a brand new Republican chief, as Sen. John Thune of South Dakota replaces Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Friday’s schedule within the Senate

Midday: The Senate is gaveled in.

Opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance: Led by the Senate Chaplain. The present Chaplain, Barry Black, was hospitalized in mid-December resulting from a mind bleed. It is unclear whether or not he or one other designee will lead the opening prayer.

Swearing-in of senators: Usually any senator who gained election in November will probably be sworn in to a brand new time period — whether or not a newly elected member or a returning incumbent. They sometimes take the oath in teams of 4. Every senator who’s being sworn in may have an escort with them, who is usually a present or retired senator. Many senators will select their fellow house state senator as an escort however this isn’t required — some select associates or mentors.

Signing of the oath ebook: After the senators take the oath, every will signal their title within the oath ebook at a chosen place.

Institution of a quorum and adopting organizing resolutions: After the members are sworn in, you will hear a request from the bulk chief to ascertain a quorum. We anticipate this to be Thune in his capability as social gathering chief. The clerk will learn the roll of your complete new Senate.

The primary order of enterprise is usually the adoption of a decision that informs the president that the Senate is in a quorum and able to obtain any communications from him. An analogous decision is issued to the Home. Subsequent, the president professional tempore is appointed by way of a decision. The longest-serving member of the bulk social gathering sometimes receives this honorary position, on this case Grassley. After the decision is adopted, we anticipate Grassley to take over from Harris to information the Senate by way of the adoption of extra organizing issues.

Then there will probably be a unanimous consent request to go a block of group resolutions. Amongst these is a decision establishing committees and one other establishing working guidelines of the Senate. As a result of this stuff are labored out between the social gathering leaders beforehand, these resolutions are virtually all the time swiftly unanimously adopted with little fanfare.

Chief speeches: We’ll hear speeches from each social gathering leaders – Thune, for the primary time, and Democratic Chief Chuck Schumer of New York.

Ceremonial swearing-in: After the formally swearing in on the ground, senators will head to the previous Senate chamber to reenact the swearing in for a photograph op with the vice President. Their households sometimes be a part of them.

Some highlights within the Senate

Historical past-making Black ladies: When Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks are sworn in, they will be the primary two Black ladies to serve within the Senate on the identical time.

Extra historical past: After he is sworn in, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina will turn out to be the longest-serving Black senator. Scott may even turn out to be the primary Black chairman of a Senate standing committee when he assumes the chair of the Banking, Housing, and City Affairs Committee. Scott will probably be serving his third time period.

And but extra historical past: The 119th Congress will see the primary time 5 Black senators have served concurrently – Alsobrooks, New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker of New Jersey, Blunt Rochester, Scott and Democrat Raphael Warnock of Georgia.

Kamala Harris’ closing features: As the present vice chairman, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee will probably be answerable for the swearing-in of the brand new members. Will probably be considered one of Harris’ final tasks as VP, except for Jan. 6 and the inauguration.

Chuck Grassley resumes position as President Professional Tempore: Chuck Grassley is 91 years previous and with Republicans again in management will return to the position he served in from 2019 to 2021. Grassley was first elected to the Senate in 1980 and has been reelected seven occasions.

No Jim Justice (or Babydog, for that matter): Sen.-elect Justice introduced at a press convention final week that he’ll resign as West Virginia’s governor on Jan. 13, simply earlier than Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey is sworn in to take care of continuity in his house state. We’ll have to attend a bit longer for him and his well-known bulldog to take the oath.

Adam Schiff and Andy Kim get re-sworn in: In contrast to the remainder of the freshmen class, Sens. Andy Kim and Adam Schiff have been sworn in on Dec. 9 after having gained election to fill seats that have been beforehand occupied by governor-appointed placeholders. We anticipate each to be re-sworn in.

Who’s in, who’s out?

Listed below are new senators and who they will change:

• Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., replaces Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who retired.
• Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., replaces Republican Sen. Mike Braun, who retired.
• Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, replaces Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who retired.
• Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., replaces Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, who retired.
• Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., replaces unbiased Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who didn’t search reelection.
• Jim Justice, R-W. Va., replaces unbiased Sen. Joe Manchin, who retired.
• Former Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., replaces Sen. George Helmy, who accomplished former Sen. Bob Menendez’s time period after he resigned. Helmy didn’t search election.
• David McCormick, R-Penn., replaces Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, who misplaced his reelection bid.
• Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, replaces Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who misplaced his reelection bid.
• Former Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., replaces Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to complete former Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s time period. Butler didn’t search election.
• Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., replaces Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who misplaced his reelection bid.
• Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., replaces Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who retired.