The Drama in Congress Right Now [Updated]
As I write, the House of Representatives has started a quorum call to assemble the new Congress for 2021. As has been remarked, there is some unpredictability this year because of COVID and the slim margin of the Democratic House majority. It is not a certainty that Nancy Pelosi will be the next Speaker.
Chad Pergram of Fox News has a terrific Twitter thread on the scene up right now, called his “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the New Congress,” that I have unrolled for easier reading:
Starting the new Congress is inherently messy in a pandemic. The House of Representatives implemented “remote voting” in the spring. That’s where the House permitted members who were at high risk, quarantining, tested positive or caring for someone who is ill could “phone in” their vote.
Starting the new Congress is inherently messy in a pandemic. The House of Representatives implemented remote voting in the spring. That’s where the House permitted members who were at high risk, quarantining, tested positive or caring for someone who is ill to phone in their vote. The House will vote on Monday on a new rules package to begin the new Congress which will include a remote voting option. But in the House, you can t carry over rules from the 116th Congress to the 117th Congress.
That’s why everyone has to show up at noon today.
This poses an interesting, ethical question:
South Carolina Rep.-elect Nancy Mace and former Austin City Councilwoman Ellen Troxclair discuss the long-lasting impact in Washington on The Next Revolution.
Some college bowl games are canceled. The NFL is struggling to finish its regular season without canceling a game. People celebrated holiday parties on Zoom.
Yet the 117thCongress begins Sunday at noon, Eastern Time. The Constitution dictates that. And everyone has to be there in person.
The House and Senate remained in session finishing up the 116th Congress through most of the holidays. Lawmakers flirted with a government shutdown. Finally finished a COVID relief package. The House overrode President Trump’s veto of the annual defense bill and, per the President’s request, passed a $2,000 direct stimulus bill, just after Christmas.
University of Maryland professor Peter Morici weighs in on the stimulus showdown.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday blasted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for holding up $2,000 stimulus checks that both Democrats and President Trump support.
The House passed bipartisan legislation earlier this week to boost the forthcoming coronavirus stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 after Trump demanded it, but McConnell blocked a quick vote on that stand-alone legislation Tuesday. It s amazing to see the patience that some people have with other people s suffering, Pelosi said at a news conference Wednesday. These Republicans in the Senate seem to have an endless tolerance.
UPDATE: Speaker Pelosi has agreed to seat the Republican victor.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says in a news conference she will seat Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks Sunday, despite on ongoing challenge from Democratic opponent Rita Hart. This race was decided by just six votes in IA-02. https://t.co/1kalPlYe1O Brianne Pfannenstiel (@brianneDMR) December 30, 2020
ORIGINAL POST
Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress are cautioning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) against any interference in the Iowa 2nd Congressional District election. Iowa certified the winner to be Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks over Democrat Rita Hart. The race was a nail biter. The final tally put Miller-Meeks on top by a vote of 196,964 to 196,958. Yes, that s only six votes. And so Hart filed a challenge with the House.