It looks like the uncertainty of the Trump era is not going to evaporate on Wednesday, because Congress is not quite done with Trump yet.
The focus this week is on Biden becoming the 46th President of the United States, protecting Washington on Inauguration Day and preparing for a peaceful transfer of power following the attack on the US Capitol.
Talks between incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and current Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s offices continue over what makes the most sense for the timing of the trial. While Biden has made it clear that he wants to split the day in half to have his candidates confirmed in the mornings before the trial, it takes everyone. And it is not clear that all 100 senators will agree, even if McConnell and Schumer could reach a consensus. Once again, the conversations continue. Aid workers and members do not expect the indictment to start early next week, but no one knows for sure until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes it clear when she will send the articles.
A very important reminder: do not take the lack of response for when a trial starts as a lack of behind-the-scenes orchestration. We’re moving to another chapter in American history where the president, the senate, and the House are all controlled by the same party, and unlike Trump – who has often caught his leadership off guard with rogue tweets or statements – Pelosi and Schumer. is on the same page here. They do not need Biden to tell it first. They know what’s at stake with an accusation.
Once they are down that road, there is no stopping. The Senate is in session every day from 12 noon ET with members in their desks, six days a week for as long as the trial lasts. Sending the articles too soon without a firm agreement between Schumer and McConnell jeopardizes Biden’s first 100 days, his ability to get his nominees through, not to mention any goal Biden had to heal the country after the attack. on January 6 at the Capitol. If it now feels like we are standing still, it is because it is an incredible undertaking to work through the potential challenges and consequences of this trial.
As CNN reported last week, Pelosi unlocks the articles as soon as it’s a whole series of steps that need to be followed quickly. No one wants to go ahead until everyone is on the exact same page about what it’s going to look like.
What about double tracking
Things to keep an eye on this week
There are five confirmation hearings on Tuesday for Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, CIA Director, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security. The assistants say it is possible the Senate could step up as soon as Wednesday to confirm some of them to their posts hours after Biden was sworn in. It once again takes agreement from all 100 senators. We should have more timing on Tuesday when the Senate returns.
When will Schumer become majority leader?
In order for Schumer to become majority leader, incoming Democratic Sens Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both of Georgia, must be sworn in. The state has until later this week to do so. Aid workers close to the process say the expectation is that certification will take place around January 20, but it is normal for senators to be sworn in only until the day after the certification has taken place. That means it could actually take a day or so for Warnock and Ossoff to be sworn in.
In other words, the timing is fluid. Do not assume that Schumer will become the majority leader on 20 January. We do not know for sure.
Another thing to look for this week
Leadership worked through how the two parties would manage the next senate. In light of the close Democratic majority (an alliance with incoming Vice President Kamala Harris as the breakaway), assistants pointed out that Schumer and McConnell are expected to come up with a power-sharing agreement in accordance with the 2001 agreement between Trent Lott and Tom Daschle. The talks are still going on, so we can not say with certainty what that agreement will look like, but in 2001 the agreement provided for equally divided senate committees, divided budgets in the committees, equal access to common areas in the Capitol for both Republicans and Democrats and members of both parties could chair the Senate. These conversations continue, as do the conversations about how an indictment can be conducted.