Policy and plans. The confirmation vote is expected at 11 a. M. Eastern. Lawmakers will also work on a judicial nomination. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Eternal god, hear us when we cry to you. You have been our help in ages past, and our hope for the years to come. You dont keep a record of our transgressions but shower us daily with mercy and forgiveness. Great is your faithfulness. As our senators wait for the unfolding of your powerful providence, give them your peace. May they cling to your promise, knowing that you will lead them to a desired destination. Give them the wisdom to trust your unconditional love and your willingness to save those who call on your name. We pray in your mighty name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america, and to the republic for which it stands
And did the president cross the line venting to the acting attorney general about implicating him in the Michael Cohen case . Welcome to early start. Im joe johns. Happy Christmas Eve. Im christine romans. It is monday, december 24th. We begin with the defense secretary james mattis forced out of his job two months earlier than planned. He an announnounced his resigna thursday. The departure triggered by the president s decision to withdrawal troops from syria. Mick mulvaney defended the decision to pull the troops out of syria. In the next breath, mulvaney admits the supporters dont understand the consequences. He went against the recommendations of mattis, mcgurk, dunford and pompeo and bolton. Who is he listening to . A bunch of people. That is his National Security team. We recognize the fact this is unpopular within the beltway. We recognize it is unpopular with the defense department. Do they know what the stakes are of pulling u. S. Troops out and leaving the Syrian Defense forc