WASHINGTON – Donald Trump left the White House for more than 48 hours, but political dysfunction, hyperpartisanship and contentious atmosphere remained in Washington.
Especially at the Capitol.
Mitch McConnell, now in the minority, supported the Senate’s 50-50 organization (like its committees and committee assignments) – unless Democrats agree to preserve legislative obstruction.
(Senate Democrats simply want to return to the same power-sharing agreement that existed in 2001, the last time there was a 50-50 Senate.)
Republicans argue that a Trump impeachment trial in the Senate is unconstitutional, while Democrats move forward.
And entire Washington argued over the significance of Joe Biden’s call for unity. (As we wrote yesterday, Biden’s “unity” is about lowering the temperature of our politics, not abandoning political goals.)
The problem with today’s Senate is that it has become very obsolete for our current policy. How can a body be a cooling disk when few of its members are politicians of the cooling disk?
Furthermore, it has become very easy – and very rewarding – to obstruct the Senate. When was the last time a senator was punished for obstructing legislation or a nomination?
When the incentive is to obstruct – not to work in good faith – you have an institutional problem.
Did McConnell exaggerate your hand?
That said, it is quite possible that Mitch McConnell exaggerated this 50-50 power-sharing agreement.
We have achieved what McConnell is trying to do politically: he wants to divide Senate Democrats by putting Joe Manchins and Kyrsten Sinemas, who are in favor of maintaining legislative obstruction against the rest of the Dem bench and its ambitious agenda.
But Joe Manchin also wants to chair his committee and is currently supporting Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer in his negotiations with McConnell.
“Chuck has the right to do what he is doing,” said Manchin. “He has a right to use this to leverage what he wants to do.”
And when you’re not winning over Joe Manchin, you’re not dividing the Democrats.
Instead, you are bringing them together.
Tweet of the day
Data download: the numbers you need to know today
24,745,446: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, according to the latest data from NBC News and health officials. (There are 189,737 more than yesterday morning.)
411,440: The number of deaths caused by the virus in the United States so far. (This is 4,095 more than yesterday morning.)
119,927: The number of people currently hospitalized with coronavirus
289.44 million: The number of coronavirus tests that have been administered in the United States so far, according to researchers at The COVID Tracking Project.
13.73 million: The number of vaccine doses that have been administered in the United States so far.
58: The number of Trump’s environmental policies that Biden is trying to reverse (plus two that he has already overturned).
$ 278 million: 2020 revenue from several Trump properties, down from $ 445 million the previous year.
Biden’s second full day at work
President Biden and Vice President Harris receive a briefing on the economy at 2 pm Eastern Time. Biden comments on the economy and signs executive orders at 2:45 pm Eastern Time. And White House press secretary Jen Psaki gives a press conference (along with the director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese) at 12:30 pm Eastern time.
The two executive decrees that Biden plans to sign today expand food stamps and raise the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour for all federal government employees, writes Lauren Egan of NBC.
The Waiver Way
President Biden’s candidate to lead the Department of Defense, retired general Lloyd Austin, overcame his main hurdle for confirmation on Thursday. The House and Senate voted to approve Austin’s dismissal to lead the department, although he has not been out of military service for the mandatory seven years.
Austin’s resignation was approved by the House, from 326 to 78, and in the Senate, by 69 votes to 27. The Senate must vote the nomination at 10:30
Discussions are still ongoing on the other Biden nominees who have not yet received a vote, such as Tony Blinken and Janet Yellen.
The cap: fireman
Don’t miss yesterday’s pod, when we look at a particular line from Biden’s inaugural speech and what it might mean for American unity.
ICYMI: What else is happening in the world
Republicans have their own definition of “unity” – and it is likely to disrupt much of Biden’s agenda.
Senate Republicans are pouring cold water on Biden’s immigration proposal.
Mitch McConnell wants to delay Trump’s impeachment trial until mid-February.
Biden ordered a review of Russian hacking.
Anthony Fauci says he now feels he can speak freely about the science and risk of coronavirus.
Here is the latest news on the housing dispute for members of the National Guard in DC.
Capitol Police are investigating whether a Republican Congressman from Maryland tried to pick up a gun on the floor of the House.
Trump is hiring an impeachment legal team.
