The Senate formally passed a resolution organizing the House on Wednesday, about two weeks after Democrats regained a majority.
Approval of the resolution, which came by unanimous consent, came hours after the Senate majority leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerCapitol Officer Brian Sicknick is honored at the Roundabout Democrats offer resolution denouncing white supremacists before Trump’s trial. Lobby World MORE (DN.Y.) announced that he and the minority leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGreene future on House committees in limbo after Republican Party meeting. Party lawmaker pressures measures to remove Omar from the Foreign Affairs panel. House Republicans prepare for meeting amid party civil war MORE (R-Ky.) A power-sharing agreement has been reached on how to organize the 50-50 Senate.
“I am happy to report … that the leadership of both parties has finalized the Senate organizing resolution,” Schumer said from the Senate plenary on Wednesday morning, adding that he would allow the Senate committees “to work with Democrats holding the hammers. “
McConnell, in a statement late on Wednesday, confirmed that they had reached an agreement.
“I am pleased to announce that we have finalized the formal power-sharing agreement for the 117th Congress. This power-sharing agreement is almost identical to that of 2001 and will allow the Senate to be administered fairly as an equally divided body,” he said.
Negotiations were suspended for days after McConnell pushed to include in the resolution a guarantee on the future of the 60-vote legislative obstruction. Progressive activists and an increasing number of senators want to reject the obstruction, arguing that it hinders Democratic priorities, such as voting rights, democracy reform and a state in DC.
Democrats hesitated to include an agreement on obstruction as part of the power-sharing agreement. Although Democrats do not currently have 50 votes in their caucus to prevent obstruction, they were also irritated that they were boxed in by McConnell.
McConnell dropped his demand after Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinProgressives targets Manchin, Sinema with new PAC Manchin warns against coronavirus relief project only for Democrats On The Money: Biden calls Dems and calls for big COVID project | SEC’s Biden picks up as GameStop drama unfolds | Bezos stepping down as CEO of Amazon MAIS (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) Reiterated that they do not support canceling the obstruction. He added in his statement on Wednesday that Schumer also agreed to “protect specific procedural customs”.
The lack of a power-sharing agreement kept the Senate suspended in limbo. Although Democrats controlled the Senate floor, Republicans still retained control of the committees because they operated under the 116th Congress resolution – when Republicans were the majority.
Some committees technically did not have a formal president because the Republican senators who oversaw the committees last year retired.
Sen. John Boozman
John Nichols BoozmanOvernight Energy: Automakers Drop Out of California Vehicle Emission Standards Litigation | Senate confirms Buttigieg as Transport Secretary | Republicans present long-term bill to bypass Biden on the Senate Keystone XL panel advances Vilsack’s appointment to head the Senators’ Agriculture Department discussing Trump’s censorship resolution MORE (R-Ark.) Tuesday’s hearing for Tom Vilsack
Tom VilsackUSDA: Farm-to-school programs help schools serve healthier meals EVENING MONEY: House ready to approve debt ceiling bill MORE, Biden’s choice for secretary of agriculture, noting that “the committee does not currently have an official chairman.”
The organization’s resolution reflects a 2001 power-sharing agreement, the last time the Senate was split for an equal period. Since Vice President Harris manages to break the tie, this formally gives Democrats a majority.
The resolution institutes the committees, including allocating their budgets. And the two Senate leaders agreed to try to increase the number of amendments that get votes in the Senate plenary, according to statements they made about the understandings they reached in their talks.
“I am a strong supporter of the senators’ right to offer amendments and commit to dramatically increasing the number of member-initiated amendments offered at the 117th Congress,” said Schumer.
He also promised that he would not take procedural steps to limit the ability to offer and vote on amendments “unless delaying measures prevent the Senate from acting and leave no alternative.”
McConnell, for his part, said he hoped to reduce the amount of Senate time spent on a bill. A senator’s objection to accepting a bill may force the leadership to take days off to skip procedural obstacles.
“I think it is often necessary to submit a motion to proceed because members want to ensure that they have the right to offer amendments. Given the guarantees regarding the senators’ ability to debate and amend legislation in this Congress, this should help to alleviate this practice,” said McConnell.