By Bo Erickson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – January brings several consequential dates for the U.S. Congress as Republicans consolidate power as a result of last November’s elections with full control of the Senate, House of Representatives and White House.
JAN. 3:
The 119th Congress convenes with new members being sworn in. Republicans hold a narrow majority of 219-215 in the House. The Senate majority is 53-47, well below the 60-vote threshold needed to advance most legislation.
Republican Senator John Thune already has been selected for the top job of Senate majority leader, but all eyes will be on the lower chamber as the House votes for speaker.
Speaker Mike Johnson is running to stay in his position and is backed by President-elect Donald Trump. However, if as few as two Republicans vote against Johnson, his speakership could be in jeopardy because a majority of the chamber is needed to win.
Democrats will nominate Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to challenge Johnson for the speakership but are expected to fall a few votes short.
The party with the majority — no matter how slim — is always expected to win the speaker’s post.
JAN. 6:
Exactly four years after an angry mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol trying to stop the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, Congress will once again convene to certify Trump’s 2024 win during a joint session of Congress. Vice President Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated in the election, will preside over the Electoral College count in her dual capacity as Senate president.
Hostility like the 2021 Capitol riot is not expected, yet Congress has since then passed reforms to the certification process to prevent outside disruptions. Trump has vowed to pardon some of the Jan. 6 defendants when he takes office.
JAN. 9:
President Joe Biden has declared the day a national day of mourning and the official state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Arrangements were underway for the coffin bearing Carter’s remains to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, which could occur in the run-up to the state funeral.
JAN. 20:
Trump will be sworn in on the West Front steps of the Capitol and takes office as the 47th president, only the second president to be reelected after leaving office. Trump is expected to announce dozens of executive actions on his first day in office from immigration changes to energy decisions.
Once Trump is inaugurated, he will be able to formally nominate his Cabinet picks and some Senate confirmation votes could be held promptly.
(Reporting by Bo Erickson; editing by Richard Cowan and David Gregorio)
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