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House will send article of impeachment against Trump to Senate on Monday – live House will send article of impeachment against Trump to Senate on Monday – live
(32 minutes later)
Senate will start holding a trial after article is sent, to determine whether Trump should be convicted and blocked from seeking office againSenate will start holding a trial after article is sent, to determine whether Trump should be convicted and blocked from seeking office again
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, has now taken over the briefing, and she opened by addressing the Senate confirmation of Lloyd Austin as defense secretary.
Psaki praised the confirmation of Austin, who is the first African American defense secretary in US history.
Psaki said Austin would be sworn in today, but he will be “more ceremoniously” sworn in by vice-president Kamala Harris on Monday.
Austin arrived at the Pentagon for the first time as defense secretary earlier this afternoon.
Brian Deese was asked about the 8 million Americans who have not yet received their stimulus payments.
The National Economic Council director said most of those Americans are “non-filers,” meaning they don’t file taxes, and the government is working to locate them and get them their checks.
The executive orders that Joe Biden will sign today are expected to include a directive to expedite that process.
Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, warned that the country would be in a “much worse place” financially if the government did not take “decisive action” to buoy the US economy.
“The risk of under-shooting far outweighs the risk of doing too much,” Deese said.
The senior official said Joe Biden has made clear to his advisers that they must “make the case for the rescue and engage with” members of both parties to sell their relief proposals.
A number of Republican lawmakers have already expressed deep skepticism about passing another massive relief package.
Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, kicked off the White House briefing by outlining the executive orders that Joe Biden will sign this afternoon.
“Our economy is at a very precarious moment,” Deese told reporters. “It’s a moment that requires decisive action to beat this pandemic and support the economic recovery that Americans need.”
Deese said the orders would provide emergency relief for families affected by the pandemic and heighten workplace protections for Americans.
Specifically, one of the orders will expand the food stamps program, and the other will ensure that workers who refuse employment that jeopardizes their health will still qualify for unemployment benefits.
But Deese made clear that the orders were “not a substitute for comprehensive legislative relief”. Biden has outlined a $1.9 trillion relief package, but it’s unclear that proposal can make it through the Senate, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
The White House is now holding a press briefing focused on the executive orders Joe Biden will sign today to help boost the US economy.
The briefing is led by Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, and Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council.
Later today, the president is expected to sign several executive orders aimed at aiding Americans families who are financially suffering because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hundreds of National Guard troops who came to Washington after the Capitol attack have reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.Hundreds of National Guard troops who came to Washington after the Capitol attack have reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
Politico reports:Politico reports:
The problem worsened yesterday, when some National Guard troops were moved out of the Capitol and into a Senate parking lot, where they were crammed together with no social-distancing.The problem worsened yesterday, when some National Guard troops were moved out of the Capitol and into a Senate parking lot, where they were crammed together with no social-distancing.
The move was quickly reversed amid outcry after photos surfaced of troops sleeping on concrete. In a speech this morning, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said the move had been “utterly unacceptable”.The move was quickly reversed amid outcry after photos surfaced of troops sleeping on concrete. In a speech this morning, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said the move had been “utterly unacceptable”.
Lloyd Austin has just arrived at the Pentagon for the first time since the Senate confirmed him as defense secretary this morning.Lloyd Austin has just arrived at the Pentagon for the first time since the Senate confirmed him as defense secretary this morning.
Austin will soon be sworn in at the Pentagon. The former general is the first African American to lead the defense department.
Austin told reporters present for his arrival, “Good to see you guys and thanks for being here. Look forward to working with you. See you around campus.”Austin told reporters present for his arrival, “Good to see you guys and thanks for being here. Look forward to working with you. See you around campus.”
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris also released a statement commemorating the 48th anniversary of Roe v Wade, the landmark supreme court case that ensures the right to abortion access.Joe Biden and Kamala Harris also released a statement commemorating the 48th anniversary of Roe v Wade, the landmark supreme court case that ensures the right to abortion access.
“In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care – including reproductive health care – regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status,” the president and vice-president said.“In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care – including reproductive health care – regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status,” the president and vice-president said.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe.”“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe.”
Donald Trump was able to confirm hundreds of conservative federal judges over his lone term in office, and Democrats are eager to approve liberal judicial nominees now that they have control of the Senate.Donald Trump was able to confirm hundreds of conservative federal judges over his lone term in office, and Democrats are eager to approve liberal judicial nominees now that they have control of the Senate.
“As the Biden-Harris Administration begins in this critical moment, now is the time to rededicate ourselves to ensuring that all individuals have access to the health care they need,” the statement says.“As the Biden-Harris Administration begins in this critical moment, now is the time to rededicate ourselves to ensuring that all individuals have access to the health care they need,” the statement says.
The White House has just released a statement confirming that Joe Biden signed the bill granting Lloyd Austin a waiver to become defense secretary.The White House has just released a statement confirming that Joe Biden signed the bill granting Lloyd Austin a waiver to become defense secretary.
“On Friday, January 22, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 335, which provides an exception to a restriction on appointing a Secretary of Defense who, within the past seven years, had been on active duty in a regular component of the armed forces,” the White House said.“On Friday, January 22, 2021, the President signed into law: H.R. 335, which provides an exception to a restriction on appointing a Secretary of Defense who, within the past seven years, had been on active duty in a regular component of the armed forces,” the White House said.
Because Austin retired from the military less than seven years ago, the former general needed a waiver from Congress before he could be confirmed as defense secretary.Because Austin retired from the military less than seven years ago, the former general needed a waiver from Congress before he could be confirmed as defense secretary.
The House and the Senate approved Austin’s waiver yesterday, and the Senate confirmed Austin as defense secretary this morning, in a vote of 93 to 2.The House and the Senate approved Austin’s waiver yesterday, and the Senate confirmed Austin as defense secretary this morning, in a vote of 93 to 2.
Nancy Pelosi has confirmed that she will transmit the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday.Nancy Pelosi has confirmed that she will transmit the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday.
“We are respectful of the Senate’s constitutional power over the trial and always attentive to the fairness of the process, noting that the former president will have had the same amount of time to prepare for trial as our Managers,” the Democratic speaker said in a statement.“We are respectful of the Senate’s constitutional power over the trial and always attentive to the fairness of the process, noting that the former president will have had the same amount of time to prepare for trial as our Managers,” the Democratic speaker said in a statement.
Pelosi added, “Our Managers are ready to begin to make their case to 100 Senate jurors through the trial process.”Pelosi added, “Our Managers are ready to begin to make their case to 100 Senate jurors through the trial process.”
The House impeachment managers will be Jamie Raskin, Diana DeGette, David Cicilline, Joaquin Castro, Eric Swalwell, Ted Lieu, Stacey Plaskett, Madeleine Dean and Joe Neguse.The House impeachment managers will be Jamie Raskin, Diana DeGette, David Cicilline, Joaquin Castro, Eric Swalwell, Ted Lieu, Stacey Plaskett, Madeleine Dean and Joe Neguse.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell had called for delaying the impeachment trial until February to give Trump more time to prepare his defense, but it seems unlikely that Democrats will follow that timeline.Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell had called for delaying the impeachment trial until February to give Trump more time to prepare his defense, but it seems unlikely that Democrats will follow that timeline.
It would take two-thirds of the Senate, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, to convict Trump on incitement of insurrection.It would take two-thirds of the Senate, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, to convict Trump on incitement of insurrection.
If Trump is convicted, the Senate could bar him from seeking federal office again.If Trump is convicted, the Senate could bar him from seeking federal office again.
Lloyd Austin said in a tweet that it was “an honor and a privilege” to serve as defense secretary, adding that he was “especially proud” to be the first African American to hold the position.
The Senate has confirmed Lloyd Austin as the next defense secretary, making the retired general the first African American to lead the Pentagon.
The final vote was 93 to 2, with only two Republicans -- Mike Lee and Josh Hawley -- opposing Austin’s nomination.
The confirmation comes one day after the House and the Senate passed a waiver to allow Austin to be confirmed. Because Austin retired from the military less than seven years ago, he needed a waiver before the Senate could confirm him.
Austin is the second of Joe Biden’s cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate. Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, was confirmed on Wednesday, and she was sworn in by Vice-President Kamala Harris yesterday.
Joe Biden may have more two more permanent cabinet secretaries by the end of the day. The Senate is voting on Lloyd Austin’s nomination as defense secretary now, and 93 senators have already voted “yes”.
The Senate finance committee also unanimously supported the nomination of Janet Yellen this morning, setting up a final confirmation vote. Republican senator John Cornyn said Yellen would likely be confirmed later today.
The Senate vote on Lloyd Austin’s nomination as defense secretary is still underway, but more than 50 “yes” votes have now been cast.
Assuming no one changes their vote, Austin will be confirmed, and he will become the first African American to lead the defense department.
Austin will be the second of Biden’s cabinet nominees to be confirmed, after Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, was confirmed on Wednesday.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell also indicated he would support the nomination of Lloyd Austin as defense secretary.
McConnell emphasized that Austin, a retired general, must commit to overseeing the Pentagon as a civilian leader rather than as a former member of the military.
Austin’s nomination, which the Senate is currently voting on, is expected to easily pass. If confirmed, Austin will be the first African American to lead the defense department.
In his floor comments, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell also once again defended the filibuster and demanded that Democrats preserve it.
McConnell’s insistence that Democrats commit to keeping the filibuster is holding up the power-sharing agreement between the minority and majority leaders. (The agreement is necessary because the Senate is evenly split, 50-50).
Majority leader Chuck Schumer said before McConnell took the floor, “Leader McConnell’s proposal is unacceptable, and it won’t be accepted. And the Republican leader knew that when he first proposed it.”
A growing number of Democrats are calling on Schumer to scrap the filibuster, which would eliminate Republicans’ best mechanism for blocking Joe Biden’s agenda. If the filibuster is eliminated, every bill would need 51 Senate votes, rather than 60 votes, to pass.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said he had hoped the House would transmit the article of impeachment next Thursday.
“But that’s apparently going to be next Monday,” the Republican leader said on the Senate floor.
McConnell added, “Senate Republicans strongly believe we need a full and fair process where the former president can mount a defense.”
The news that Nancy Pelosi will transmit the article of impeachment on Monday sets a deadline for when McConnell and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer must agree on rules for Donald Trump’s trial.
Unless Schumer and McConnell can reach an agreement otherwise, the impeachment trial would begin on Tuesday.
McConnell has said he wants the trial to be delayed until February to give Trump more time to prepare his defense.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said that House speaker Nancy Pelosi would transmit the article of impeachment on Monday.
Once the article is sent, the Senate will start holding a trial to determine whether Donald Trump should be convicted of incitement of insurrection.
If Trump is convicted, he could be blocked from seeking federal office again.
“Make no mistake: a trial will be held in the United States Senate, and there will be a vote on whether to convict,” Schumer said. “It will be a full trial. It will be a fair trial.”
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has proposed delaying the trial until February to give Trump more time to prepare his defense.
The Senate is now in session and will soon vote on Lloyd Austin’s nomination to become defense secretary, which is expected to pass.
The House and the Senate both approved a waiver for Austin to be confirmed yesterday. Because Austin left the military less than seven years ago, Congress needed to pass the waiver before the retired general could be confirmed.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer kicked off the session by criticizing the moving of National Guard troops to a Senate parking lot, calling it “utterly unacceptable”.
The troops were moved back to the Capitol amid outcry over photos of service members sleeping on concrete as they protected lawmakers.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer met with National Guard troops guarding the Capitol this morning and thanked them for their service during Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Schumer also apologized after some National Guard troops were moved from a Capitol cafeteria into a Senate parking lot, sparking outrage. The move was quickly reversed after photos of the soldiers sleeping on concrete circulated online.
“What happened was an outrage and it will never happen again,” Schumer told the troops.