Domingo marks the inauguration of the 117th Congress, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Probably winning re-election despite an increasingly smaller Democratic majority.
Pelosi is running without opposition, but with Democrats having a smaller majority than the previous Congress, she can only afford to have a small handful of lawmakers stand out and choose to write someone else.
“Nancy Pelosi will be the next spokesperson for the House of Representatives,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y. to “Fox News Sunday.” “There is incredible enthusiasm for spokesperson Pelosi because she did the job.”
In a letter to colleagues on Sunday morning, Pelosi said that the new Congress will meet “at a time of extraordinary difficulty”.
“Each of our communities has been dramatically affected by the pandemic and the economic crisis: 350,000 tragic deaths, more than 20 million infections, millions without jobs – a number almost beyond comprehension,” she said. “Thank you for your generosity of spirit and patriotism in taking on this challenge for the people.”
“I am immensely grateful for the trust that members have placed in me,” she added. “I am confident that the election of the mayor today will show a united democratic bench, ready to face future challenges.”
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the speaker vote – which must be held in person – will look different from previous years. Members will be divided into separate groups, instead of having all elected representatives meeting in plenary at the same time. This roll-call vote is expected to take a few hours after starting Sunday afternoon.
At least some members will not be present for the vote, including Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., Who is battling pancreatic cancer, and Rep. David Valadao, R-Ca., And Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar , R -Fla., Who recently tested positive for Covid-19.
In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Dr. Brian Monahan, Congressional assistant physician, announced the installation of an area above the floor of the Chamber for members exposed to Covid-19, but who have had a negative result so they can vote in person while they remain. quarantined. A Capitol official said two Democrats and a Republican are using this option. It is not yet known which members are doing this.
“The greatest possible safeguards have been implemented, including separate and improved ventilation in this space and separate retention facilities for any member using Gallery 4,” said Monahan. “This step will only be necessary until proxy voting is resumed as an option for affected Members.”
Pelosi won the previous 220 to 192 speaker vote over House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Senators also took an oath on Sunday. The ceremonies marked the end of David Perdue’s tenure in office. Perdue left his vacant position in Georgia until he or Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff is certified as the winner of one of the most watched Senate rounds in that state. Senator Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., Also faces a runoff on Tuesday, but she remains in her seat during the election because she was previously nominated to continue a term that does not expire on Sunday.
The Senate now has 51 Republican and 48 Democratic senators after the inauguration ceremonies. If Democrats prevail in the second round of Georgia, that division will be 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as a tiebreaker, giving Democrats a majority.
Alex Moe contributed.