Democrats take narrow control of US Senate
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Democrats take narrow control of US Senate

Politics

Reuters
21 January, 2021, 07:55 am
Last modified: 21 January, 2021, 07:59 am

Related News

  • Modi, Biden stress on ‘strategic partnership based on trust’ at Japan meet
  • Biden's Taiwan remarks show conviction to defend island but carry risks
  • Ukraine a global issue, not regional one: Biden
  • Biden's Asian economic talks include 13 countries, and no China
  • In Tokyo, Biden endorses Japan's plan to beef up its defences

Democrats take narrow control of US Senate

The new arrangement makes Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer the majority leader, with Republican Mitch McConnell demoted to minority leader

Reuters
21 January, 2021, 07:55 am
Last modified: 21 January, 2021, 07:59 am
A general view of the US Capitol in Washington, US November 10, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott
A general view of the US Capitol in Washington, US November 10, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott

Democrats took control of the US Senate on Wednesday when Vice President Kamala Harris swore in three members to give the party a narrow grip on both houses of Congress as well as the White House for the first time in a decade.

The first of President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees won Senate approval on Wednesday night: Avril Haines, tapped for the job of director of national intelligence.

Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia and Alex Padilla of California took the oath of office in the Senate chamber hours after Biden and Harris were sworn in.

Warnock and Ossoff won upset victories in a pair of January 5 runoff elections to split the Senate 50-50 with Harris, a Democrat, holding the decisive vote in any tie between Republicans and Democrats.

Padilla, California's first Latino senator, was appointed to fill Harris's Senate seat after she resigned on Monday to assume the second highest US office.

Swearing the new senators in, Harris laughed after she read out her own name as the California senator who had resigned, declaring: "Yeah, that was very weird, OK."

The three Democrats give Biden a narrow advantage to pursue policies that include a fresh wave of relief for a nation hammered by the coronavirus pandemic in the face of deep political divisions.

The new arrangement makes Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer the majority leader, with Republican Mitch McConnell demoted to minority leader.

Schumer, a brash New Yorker, admitted to some nervousness as he began his first speech as majority leader. "I need to catch my breath, so much is happening," he said.

Both Schumer and McConnell pledged to work together, and McConnell pledged to work also with Biden, a former senator McConnell has known for years.

"I congratulate my friend from Delaware, look forward to working with him as our new president, wherever possible," McConnell said.

Schumer and McConnell are in talks about a possible power-sharing deal governing daily Senate operations, similar to one struck two decades ago. Both men favor making such an agreement, but McConnell has asked to keep the rules requiring a supermajority of 60 votes to advance most legislation.

The shifting Senate control has complicated already-delayed efforts to get Biden's Cabinet nominees confirmed. In past years, at least some national security nominees have been confirmed on Inauguration Day.

Schumer said the Senate would address the health and economic crises of the pandemic and strive to make progress on racial justice, adding: "Make no mistake, the Senate will forcefully, consistently and urgently address the greatest threat to this country and to our planet - climate change."

The new Senate is poised to hold former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial on a charge of inciting insurrection passed by the House last week after his supporters stormed the Capitol. It was unclear when the trial would begin.

Democrats also hold a 221-211 majority in the House of Representatives.

Warnock, a 51-year-old Baptist preacher in his first political office, is the first Black senator to represent Georgia. He held the pulpit in Atlanta where slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. once preached.

Ossoff, 33, is the youngest senator sworn in to the Senate since Biden, who took office in 1973 at the age of 30.

The first Jewish senator from Georgia, Ossoff was sworn in on a book of Hebrew scripture that belonged to Atlanta Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, a close ally of King's.

Padilla, 47, was California's secretary of state, having previously served in the state Senate and more than seven years on the Los Angeles City Council, five as council president.

Top News / World+Biz

US Congress / Joe Biden / US President Joe Biden / Biden administration / Biden Presidency / US Democrats / US republicans / Chuck Schumer / Mitch McConnell

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • US President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a virtual summit from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on Nov. 15, 2021. MANDEL NGAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES/Foreign Policy
    Is Biden missing a chance to engage China?
  • Representative Photo: Pixabay.
    India to limit sugar exports in risk to global food prices
  • Muhammad Abdul Mazid, Former chairman, National Board of Revenue. TBS Sketch
    Revenue growth in FY22 only because import costs have surged

MOST VIEWED

  • Anthony Albanese, leader of Australia's Labor Party, addresses supporters after incumbent Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison conceded defeat in the country's general election, in Sydney, Australia May 21, 2022. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
    New Australian govt looks to SE Asia as it deals with 'difficult' China relationship
  • Anthony Albanese, leader of Australia's Labor Party, addresses supporters after incumbent Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison conceded defeat in the country's general election, in Sydney, Australia May 21, 2022. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
    Australia's new PM Albanese to fly to Quad meet hours after taking reins
  • US President Joe Biden arrives aboard Air Force One at Yokota US Air Force Base in Fussa, on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan May 22, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
    Biden meets Japanese Emperor at start of visit to launch regional economic plan
  • U.S. President Biden speaks to reporters while departing at Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., April 12, 2022. REUTERS/Al Drago
    Biden to launch economic plan for Indo-Pacific region
  • Anthony Albanese, leader of Australia's Labor Party, shows a thumbs up sign while addressing supporters after incumbent Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison conceded defeat in the country's general election, in Sydney, Australia May 21, 2022. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
    In sharp switch, Australia votes for climate action
  • Anthony Albanese, leader of Australia's Labor Party, addresses supporters after incumbent Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison conceded defeat in the country's general election, in Sydney, Australia May 21, 2022. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
    Australia's Labor likely win election; independents look to hold sway

Related News

  • Modi, Biden stress on ‘strategic partnership based on trust’ at Japan meet
  • Biden's Taiwan remarks show conviction to defend island but carry risks
  • Ukraine a global issue, not regional one: Biden
  • Biden's Asian economic talks include 13 countries, and no China
  • In Tokyo, Biden endorses Japan's plan to beef up its defences

Features

The balcony railings of the Boro Sardar Bari in Sonargaon. Made of cast iron, these railings feature vertical posts with intricate designs on top. Photo: Noor-A-Alam

The evolution of railing and grille designs

8h | Habitat
A Russian army service member fires a howitzer during drills at the Kuzminsky range in the southern Rostov region, Russia January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo

3 months of Ukraine war : Miscalculations, resistance and redirected focus

9h | Analysis
Musk is denying the sexual harassment allegation that surfaced this week. Photo: Bloomberg

Elon Musk’s crazily banal week 

1d | Panorama
Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

1d | Brands

More Videos from TBS

NBR discourages transaction in cash to bring transparency in tax collection

NBR discourages transaction in cash to bring transparency in tax collection

39m | Videos
Effect of commodity price hike on lower income people

Effect of commodity price hike on lower income people

3h | Videos
The story of an 8 thousand gramophone records collector

The story of an 8 thousand gramophone records collector

4h | Videos
How to maintain a good relationship with colleagues

How to maintain a good relationship with colleagues

9h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

4
PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire
Crime

PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire

5
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

6
The reception is a volumetric box-shaped room that has two glass walls on both the front and back ends and the other two walls are adorned with interior plants, wood and aluminium screens. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Habitat

The United House: Living and working inside nature

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab