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u.s. news Dialuna 4 Januari 2021

Congress opens new session as virus, Biden's win dominate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Con-
gress convened Sunday for the
start of a new session, swearing
in lawmakers during a tumultu-
ous period as a growing number
of Republicans work to overturn
Joe Biden's victory over President
Donald Trump and the coronavi-
rus surges.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi was set to
be reelected as House speaker by
her party, which retains the majority
in the House but with the slimmest
margin in 20 years after a November
election wipeout.

Opening the Senate could be among
Mitch McConnell’s final acts as ma-
jority leader. Republican control is in
question until Tuesday’s runoff elec-
tions for two Senate seats in Georgia.
The outcome will determine which
party holds the chamber.

The House and Senate opened at
noon, as required by law, with strict
COVID protocols. Elbow bumps
replaced handshakes as senators
took the oath of office. Fewer family Vice President Mike Pence, who as of Alabama who visited with Trump cian has issued several lengthy mem-
members than usual joined lawmak- president of the Senate, presides over at the White House during the holi- os warning lawmakers off meeting in
ers at the Capitol. the session and declares the win- day season about their effort to undo groups or holding traditional recep-
ner, is facing growing pressure from the election. tions to prevent the spread of the vi-
“To say the new Congress convenes Trump’s allies over that ceremonial rus. Masks have been ordered worn
at a challenging time would be an un- role. The “Jan. 6 challenge is on,” Taylor at all times and Pelosi has required
derstatement," McConnell said as the Greene said in a tweet pinned to the them to be used in the House cham-
chamber opened. Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, said top of her social media account. Boe- ber. Members are required to have
in a statement Saturday that Pence bert also tweeted support for those coronavirus tests and have access to
Still McConnell said with the start “welcomes the efforts of members challenging Biden's victory. vaccines.
of a new year there are reasons for of the House and Senate to use the
optimism, “let's make the American authority they have under the law to House Republicans boosted their “Do not engage any in-person social
people proud.” raise objections.” ranks in the November election, events, receptions, celebrations, or
electing a handful of women and mi- appointments, outside your family
It’s often said that divided govern- Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing norities, more than ever. Some of the unit, and always wear a face cover-
ment can be a time for legislative ahead, eager to partner with Biden new GOP lawmakers are being called ing outside your home,” the physi-
compromises, but lawmakers are on shared priorities, starting with ef- the “Freedom Force,” and a counter cian’s office warned in one memo.
charging into the 117th Congress forts to stem the pandemic and eco- to the “squad” — Rep. Alexandria “You should strictly avoid any type of
with the nation more torn than ever, nomic crisis. They plan to revisit the Ocasio-Cortez of New York and oth- office-based reception or celebration
disputing even basic facts including failed effort to boost pandemic aid to er liberal Democratic women who during the days ahead.”
that Biden won the presidential elec- $2,000 for most people. swept to office in the last session.
tion. Even the traditional swearing in cer-
“This has been a moment of great In a statement Rep. Kevin McCar- emonies will be limited in the House.
Fraud did not spoil the 2020 presi- challenge in the United States of thy, R-Calif., the minority leader, said No more big family portraits with
dential election, a fact confirmed by America filled with trials and tribula- the new Republican members “are a new lawmakers taking the oath of
election officials across the country. tions, but help is on the way,” Rep. strong representation of who Ameri- office. Instead, each representative-
Before stepping down last month, Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the chair- ca is and where we come from.” elect can bring one guest in line with
Attorney General William Barr, a Re- man of the House Democratic cau- social distancing protocols.
publican appointed by Trump, said cus, said in an interview. Progressive Democrats bolstered
there was no evidence of fraud that their ranks with newcomers aligned The vice president typically swears
affected the election’s outcome. Ari- “America is a resilient nation, filled with more liberal priorities. in the senators and Pence elbow-
zona’s and Georgia’s Republican gov- with resilient people,” he said. “We bumped senators as he did.
ernors, whose states were crucial to will continue to rise to the occasion, The Capitol itself is a changed place
Biden’s victory, have also stated that emerge from this pandemic and con- under coronavirus restrictions. Law- Pelosi, who is returning as speaker,
their election results were accurate. tinue to march toward our more per- makers are arriving in Washington faces a tight race, with the House split
fect union.” from all parts of the country poten- 222-211, with one race still unde-
Nevertheless, a dozen Republicans tially exposed to the virus during cided and one vacancy after Letlow's
bound for the new Senate, led by Among the House Republican new- their travel. death.
Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, comers are Trump-aligned Marjorie
and even more in the House have Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has Several lawmakers have been sick- The California Democrat can endure
pledged to become a resistance force given nod to conspiracy Q-Anon the- ened by the virus and some will be some defections from her ranks, but
to Biden’s White House, starting with ories, and gun rights advocate Lauren absent Sunday. Also, a memorial was only a few, barring absences. In a letter
efforts to subvert the will of Ameri- Boebert of Colorado, who circulated held Saturday for newly elected Re- to colleagues Sunday, she said she was
can voters. These GOP lawmakers a letter of support to retain the right publican lawmaker Luke Letlow, 41, “confident that the Speaker’s election
plan to object to the election results of lawmakers to carry firearms in the of Louisiana, who died of complica- today will show a united Democratic
when Congress meets on Wednesday Capitol. tions from COVID-19 days before Caucus ready to meet the challenges
to tally his 306-232 Electoral College the swearing in. ahead.” She needs to win a majority
victory over Trump. Greene was among a group of House of those present and voting to retain
Republicans led by Rep. Mo Brooks The Office of the Attending Physi- the speaker’s gavel.