Senate to Begin Trump’s Second Impeachment Trial, Committees Start Drafting Reconciliation Bill

What’s happening in Congress?

• The Senate is set to begin the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump this week, on the charge of “incitement of insurrection.” 
• Off the floor, committees in both chambers of Congress will start the process of drafting coronavirus (COVID-19) relief legislation that’s expected to be considered in late February and early March. 

SENATE SCHEDULE

• After the Senate convenes Monday, it will take a vote on the confirmation of Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
• Following the confirmation vote, the Senate will transition into a parliamentary posture that allows it to sit as a court of impeachment, with the first full day of proceedings in Trump’s second impeachment trial to begin on Tuesday. 
• Once the impeachment trial begins, the Senate is required to continue the trial every day (except for Sundays). There may be procedural votes related to the trial that occur during proceedings, such as on motions to dismiss the trial or to call witnesses. 
• It’s possible that the Senate will consider additional legislation or nominations while the impeachment trial is ongoing, but that is unlikely because unanimous consent would be required to hold those votes.
• Committees will hold hearings to advance the nominations of Miguel Cardona to be Secretary of Education and Marty Walsh to be Secretary of Labor, in addition to a pair of confirmation hearings for Neera Tanden to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget

HOUSE SCHEDULE 

• The House is on recess and will not convene for any votes this week, as members are back in their districts and participating in virtual committee hearings, 
• Committees will hold hearings on the budget reconciliation directives from Democrats’ budget resolution, assessing cyber threats to the homeland, and organizing for the 117th Congress. 

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

Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.

SENATE

Monday after 5:30pm

• Confirmation vote of Denis McDonough to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Confirmed 87-7.

Tuesday & the Rest of the Week

• Impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
• Possible procedural votes related to the impeachment trial.

HOUSE

• The House is on recess, no votes are expected until Monday, February 22nd.

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

— Eric Revell