The Senate’s agreement to achieve power-sharing, Schumer announces, allowing Democrats to take control of committees

The Senate’s agreement to achieve power-sharing, Schumer announces, allowing Democrats to take control of committees

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“I am pleased to report this morning that the leadership of both parties has finalized the settlement decision for the Senate,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. “We will pass the resolution today through the Senate, which means committees can be set up immediately and get started with the Democrats holding the hammer.”

Schumer said Wednesday that with an agreement on the sharing of powers that Hammer will give to the Democrats committee, they are “ready to get the most important issues facing our country going” and “no time do not waste. ”

Democrats took control of the Senate in January after winning several U.S. Senate seats in Georgia and the White House. The stalemate, however, prevented the party from taking control of key committees, as the chamber acted under the rules of the previous Congress, when the IDP was in charge, and the consideration of the cabinet nominees, including the attorney general. nominated Merrick Garland, delayed. receive dual support.

An agreement between the two leaders was needed to determine how power would be divided, as the Senate had an even 50-50 split, with Vice President Kamala Harris able to sever ties.

It was unclear from Wednesday morning what hampered the deal. Some leaders have negotiated a final few points, including how to structure committee budgets, before finalizing the power-sharing agreement that will officially allow Democrats to take their chairmanship, Senate officials familiar with the talks told CNN earlier this week. said.

The delay has already affected Biden’s candidates confirmed by the Senate. Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Monday rejected a Democratic request to schedule Garland’s confirmation hearing on Feb. 8, arguing that the Senate should focus on the accusation of former President Donald Trump, who is going to start. the next day.

At one point, the negotiations were held for more than a week over a disagreement over whether the Democrats should promise in writing that they would not blow up the filibuster. McConnell ended his request after moderate Democrat Sens Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Cinema of Arizona said they did not intend to vote to eliminate the filibuster anytime soon.

This story was updated on Wednesday with further developments.

CNN’s Ted Barrett, Alex Rogers and Manu Raju contributed to this report.

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