Senate to Hold Confirmation Hearings for Biden Cabinet Nominees, Potentially Begin Impeachment Trial

What’s happening in Congress?

• Both chambers of Congress are set to return to the Capitol this week for a work period that will be shortened by the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, and punctuated by the Inauguration Day festivities and the swearing-in ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Wednesday.
• Committees are expected to hold the first confirmation hearings for Biden’s Cabinet nominations, and floor votes on their confirmation may occur in the Senate.
• It’s still unclear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) intends to send the article of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, which would trigger a trial beginning the next business day.

SENATE SCHEDULE

• The Senate’s floor schedule for the week ahead is yet to be announced, although it could be occupied by an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump if Pelosi transmits the article of impeachment to the Senate. If she does, the Senate may try to structure a unanimous consent agreement that allows legislative and executive business to occur on the same day as proceedings in the trial.
• Aside from the prospect of the impeachment trial, the Senate may consider an organizing resolution to establish procedures for dealing with committee work and other matters in a 50-50 Senate.
• Committees will hold confirmation hearings on Tuesday the nominations of Janet Yellen to be Treasury Secretary, Avril Haines to be Director of National Intelligence, Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of Homeland Security, Antony Blinken to be Secretary of State, and Lloyd Austin to be Secretary of Defense. A confirmation hearing for Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation will occur on Thursday.

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House is expected to meet for a brief work week with votes on Thursday and Friday.
• While it’s unclear as of the weekend what legislation will be on the floor, the House may take up legislation to grant a waiver for Biden’s defense secretary nominee, Lloyd Austin, to serve in the role given that he hasn’t been retired from active service for the minimum amount of time.
• The House Armed Services Committee will hold an organizational hearing prior to a hearing on civilian control of the military and a waiver for Lloyd Austin to serve as Secretary of Defense.

Check below throughout the week to see the vote results and updates to the schedule.

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

HOUSE

Monday & Tuesday

• No votes are expected.

Wednesday

• No votes are expected.

Thursday

• H.R. 335: Granting a waiver for General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) to serve as Secretary of Defense Passed 326-78.

Friday

• No votes are expected.

SENATE

Monday

• No votes are expected.

Tuesday

• Morning business, no votes are expected.

Wednesday after 6pm

• Confirmation of Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence Confirmed 84-10.

Thursday after 4:30pm

• H.R. 335: Granting a waiver for General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) to serve as Secretary of Defense Passed 69-27.

Friday after 10am

• Confirmation of General Lloyd Austin (Ret.) as Secretary of Defense Confirmed 93-2.
• Additional confirmation votes are possible.

Tell your reps how to vote on this week's bills and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell