mr. mcconnell: mr. vice president. the vice president: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask for the -- call the absence of a quorum call. the vice president: the absence of a quorum call has been -- of a quorum call has been called. the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: the vice president: a quorum is present. the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i simply want to welcome all senators on this first day of the 117th congress. today six new members are joining our ranks for the first time. senators hagerty of tennessee, hickenlooper of colorado, lujan of human, lummis of wyoming, marshall of kansas and tuberville of alabama have been elected to serve the people of their home states. of course senator kelly of arizona was sworn are in a few weeks ago. we congratulate all our new colleagues as well as their families. we look forward to the ways in which their unique experiences, their ideas, and their priorities will enrich this institution and strengthen our shared work for the nation. to say the 1

mr. mcconnell: thank you. ms.ri: thank you. ♪ >> all q&a programs are available on our website or as a podcast on c-span.org. ♪ >> wednesday, joe biden will be sworn in as the 46 president of the united states in our nation's capital. there is a temporary closing of the national mall and the traditional ceremony has been modified. volatile our live coverage starting at 7:00 eastern. watch the arrivals at the capital and the swearing in of joe biden and kamala harris and the inaugural address. the a now you ration of joe biden, live coverage on c-span and c-span.org or listen live on the c-span radio app. >> british prime minister boris johnson takes questions from the british house of commons. they focus mainly on the government's response to the corona pandemic and the post brexit trade agreement.

mr. mcconnell: the most caller: -- mr. mcconnell: the most important thing is that the events of last wednesday i have expanded the audience for president biden's inaugural address. everybody is going to be paying attention to very closely to not just to what he says but how he says it. biden has been a public figure for almost 50 years. he is very familiar to americans, especially because his service as vice president to barack obama for eight years. people have a sense of his character and personality. what he needs to do on inauguration day is just to projects he is best thoughts and show what kind of person he is. if you look inaugural addresses throughout history, the best ones, the most effective ones are the ones in which the new president points forward and really talks about his agenda, not necessarily integrate specificity because you do not have the time to do that and it is more of a thematic speech. point clearly and confidently forward, and as i say, i do not know how much recent events or current headlines re

mr. mcconnell: thank you. ms.ri: ♪ >> all q&a programs are available on our website or as a podcast at c-span.org. ♪ >> wednesday, joe biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the united states and our nations capital and in light of the attack on the capital and the temporary closing of the national mall, the traditional inauguration ceremony has been modified. follow our live coverage as day unfolds, starting at 7:00 a.m. eastern. watch the arrivals at the capital, the swearing in of joe biden and kamala harris, and the inaugural address. the inauguration of joe biden beginning at 1:00 a.m. eastern wednesday. live coverage on c-span and c-span.org or listen live on the c-span radio app. >> british prime minister boris johnson takes questions from members of the house of commons in the first question time session of the new year. they focused mainly on the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic and the post-brexit trade agreement.

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the vice president: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the majority leader and the democratic leader be allowed to speak and that the time not count against the two hours of debate in relation to the objection raised on the state of arizona. the vice president: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. mcconnell: i want to say to the american people the united states senate will not be intimidated. we will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats. we will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation. we are back at our posts. we will discharge our duty under the constitution and for our nation. and we're going to do it tonight. this afternoon, congress began the process of honoring the will of the american people and counting the electoral college votes. we have fulfilled the solemn duty every four years for more than two centuries. whether our nation has been at war or at peace, under all manner of threats, even during an ongoing armed rebellion and the civil war, the clock work

mr. mcconnell: mr. vice president. the vice president: present. the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i simply want to welcome all senators on this first day of the 117th congress. today six new members are joining our ranks for the first time. senators hagerty of tennessee, hickenlooper of colorado, lujan of human, lummis of wyoming, marshall of kansas and tuberville of alabama have been elected to serve the people of their home states. of course senator kelly of of course senator kelly of and of course senator kelly of arizona was sworn in two weeks ago. congratulate all of our new colleagues, all of their families, look forward to the ways in which they are unique experiences, their ideas and their priorities will enrich this institution and can strengthen the work for the nation to say the hundred 17th congress convenes at a challenging time, would indeed be an understatement. from political division to a pandemic to adversaries around the world, the hurdles before us are many. and they are serious. but there is also plenty of reason for hope. optimistic forward-looking

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the >> mr. president. i asked that the majority leader and the democratic leader be allowed to speak, and two hours of debate in relation to the objection raised on the arizona. the vice president: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. mcconnell: i want to say to the american people the united states senate will not be intimidated. we will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats. we will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation. we are back at our posts. we will discharge our duty under the constitution and for our nation. and we're going to do it tonight. this afternoon, congress began the process of honoring the will of the american people and counting the electoral college votes. we have fulfilled the solemn duty every four years for more than two centuries. whether our nation has been at war or at peace, under all manner of threats, even during an ongoing armed rebellion and the civil war, the clock work of our democracy has carried on. the united states and the united

mr. mcconnell: mr. vice president. the vice president: present. the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i simply want to welcome all senators on this first day of the 117th congress. today six new members are joining our ranks for the first time. senators hagerty of tennessee, hickenlooper of colorado, lujan of human, lummis of wyoming, marshall of kansas and tuberville of alabama have been elected to serve the people of their home states. of course senator kelly of of course senator kelly of and of course senator kelly of arizona was sworn in two weeks ago. congratulate all of our new colleagues, all of their families, look forward to the ways in which they are unique experiences, their ideas and their priorities will enrich this institution and can strengthen the work for the nation to say the hundred 17th congress convenes at a challenging time, would indeed be an understatement. from political division to a pandemic to adversaries around the world, the hurdles before us are many. and they are serious. but there is also plenty of reason for hope. optimistic forward-looking

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: we're debating a step that has never been taken in american history. whether congress should overrule the voters and overturn a presidential election. i've served 36 years in the senate. this will be the most important vote i've ever cast. president trump claims the election was stolen. the assertions range from specific local allegations to constitutional arguments to sweeping conspiracy theories. i supported the president's right to use the legal system, dozens of lawsuits received hearings in courtrooms all across our country, but over and over, the courts rejected these claims, including all-star judges whom the president himself has nominated. every election we know features some illegality and irregularity, and of course that's unacceptable. i support strong state-led voting reforms. last year's bizarre pandemic procedures must not become the new norm. but my colleagues, nothing before us proves illegality any

mr. mcconnell, mr. menendez, mr. merkley. mr. moran, ms. murkowski, mr. murphy, mrs. murray. [inaudible conversations] mr. ossoff, mr. padilla, mr. paul, mr.. peters. [inaudible conversations] mr. portman, mr. reid, mr. risch, mr. romney. ms. rosen, mr. rounds, mr. rubio, mr. sanders. [inaudible conversations] mr. sasse, mr. schatz, mr. schumer, mr. scott of florida. [inaudible conversations] mr. scott of south carolina, mrs. shaheen, mr. shelby, ms. anna mom -- sinema. >> ms. smith, ms. stabenow, mr. sullivan, mr. tester. [inaudible conversations] mr. thune, mr. tillis, mr. toomey, mr. tuberville. [inaudible conversations] mr. van hollen, mr. warner, mr. warnock, ms. warren. [inaudible conversations] mr. whitehouse, mr. wicker, mr. biden, mr. young. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible] [inaudible conversations] >> the senate will be in order. the senate will be in order. the sergeant-at-arms will make the proclamation. >> hear ye, hear ye, hear ye all persons are commanded to keep silent while the house of representatives is exhibiting to the senate of the united states and

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: we're debating a step that has never been taken in american history. whether congress should overrule the voters and overturn a presidential election. i've served 36 years in the senate. this will be the most important vote i've ever cast. president trump claims the election was stolen. the assertions range from specific local allegations to constitutional arguments to sweeping conspiracy theories. i supported the president's right to use the legal system, dozens of lawsuits received hearings in courtrooms all across our country, but over and over, the courts rejected these claims, including all-star judges whom the president himself has nominated. every election we know features some illegality and irregularity, and of course that's unacceptable. i support strong state-led voting reforms. last year's bizarre pandemic procedures must not become the new norm. but my colleagues, nothing before us proves illegality any

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the vice president: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i ask unanimous consent the majority leader and the democratic leader be allowed to speak and that the time not count against the two hours of debate in relation to the objection raised on the state of arizona. the vice president: is there objection? without objection, so ordered. mr. mcconnell: i want to say to the american people the united states senate will not be intimidated. we will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats. we will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation. we are back at our posts. we will discharge our duty under the constitution and for our nation. and we're going to do it tonight. this afternoon, congress began the process of honoring the will of the american people and counting the electoral college votes. we have fulfilled the solemn duty every four years for more than two centuries. whether our nation has been at war or at peace, under all manner of threats, even during an o

mr. mcconnell and the senator from new t york, mr.umer as a committee to join the committee on the part of the house speaker of representatives to wait upon the president of the united states informed him that a quorum is assembled and that the congress is ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make. >> and ask consent to considered to stress to submit it earlier today. >> the clerk report the resolution. >> senateg resolution to informing the house speaker of representatives and a quorum of the senate is assembled. >> is their objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection the senate will proceed to the measured rate >> ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to in the motion to be reconsidered be considered made laid upon the table. >> without objection price of ask unesco and cena proceed to s rez three cemented earlier toda today. >> the clerk report. >> senate resolution three fixing the hour of daily meeting of the senate. >> is there objection to proceeding with the measure? with objection wil

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, i yield up to five minutes to the senator from utah, senator lee. the vice president: the senator from utah. mr. lee: mr. president, at the time i prepared my remarks for today, it seems like a lifetime ago, a lot has changed in the last few hours and so i'm going to deliver some of the same remarks but it has a little bit of a different feel than it would have just a few hours ago. my thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of those who have been injured or killed today. my heartfelt gratitude goes out to the capitol hill police who valiantly defended our building and our lives. while it's true that legitimate concerns have been raised with regard to how some of the key battleground states conducted their presidential elections, this is not the end of the story. we each have to remember that we've sworn an oath to uphold, protect, and defend this document, written nearly two and a half centuries ago by wise men raised up by god to that very purpose. that document

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, i yield up to five minutes to the senator from oklahoma, senator lankford. the vice president: the senator from oklahoma. mr. lankford: mr. president, in america we settle our differences in elections. what happens if you don't trust the election count or you're concerned so many courts denied or dismissed cases within hours after they were given thousands of pages of evidence? the reason we have a congress to settle our nation's divisions and the rules of the senate make sure that every opinion in the nation is heard is so issues like this can be addressed. the constitutional crisis in our country right now is that millions of americans are being told to sit down and shut up. their opinions matter. during the electoral challenge on january 6, 2005, senator ted kennedy stood on this floor and said this. he said, i commend the many thousands of citizens in massachusetts and other states who insisted on treating today's electoral vote count in congress as a meaningless ritual

mr. mcconnell and the senator from new york mr. schumer to join the committee to weigh upon the president of the united states that a quorum ismu assembled and that is ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make. >> unanimous consent the senate consider resolution to submitted earlier today. >> senate resolution to informing the house of representatives that the core of the senate is assembled. >> is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection the senate will proceed. >> the senate will resolution be considered the made a late up on the table asking them is consent senate resolution three submitted earlier today. >> the clerk will report. >> fixing the our daily meeting of the senate. >> is thereo an objection? it will proceed to the measure. >>an that the motion to me may consider to be made available for the table. >> that objection i ask unanimous consent the senate proceed to committee it consideration of s-con foreign. >> concurrent resolution to provide for accounting on january 6, 2021 of

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, yesterday two democratic senators confirmed they will not provide the votes to eliminate the legislative filibuster. senior senator from west virginia issued a public, quote, guarantee, end quote. i do not support doing away with the filibuster under any condition, end quote. any chance of changing his mind? quote, none whatsoever. the senior senator from arizona made the same commitment. she opposes ending the legislative filibuster and, quote, is not open -- not open to changing her mind, end quote. our colleague informed me directly last night that under no circumstances would she reverse course. now, it should not be news that a few members of the majority pledged they won't tear up an essential rule, but the democratic leader was reluctant to repeat the step i took as majority leader and unified government when i ruled out that step on principle. rather than relying on the democratic leader, i took the discussion directly to his members. basic arithmetic now ensures th

mr mcconnell�*s remarks could have serious implications for mr trump when he faces his impeachment trial bbc news, the travel show. this week on the travel show, what's in store for the year ahead? i think a phrase a lot of us can expect to hear in 2021 is "documents, please. " the world's tallest mountain. i really hope that the people who want to go and climb mount everest really understand the significance of this mountain, the sacredness of this mountain. i thought i'd seen everything! and a detox that is not for the squeamish. wow, the visual of it is the most shocking part. hello and welcome to the show. after a dramatic year, i am here in turkey to start my 2021 off on a more personal note with some strange alternative therapies. and if you've not heard of mad honey, stay tuned for that. but first, after a tumultuous yearfor travel, 2021 has got off to a gloomy start in the uk, with pretty much the entire country being back in lockdown. but with a vaccine just starting to be rolled out, can we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and start to build some idea of what th

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the vice president: the majority leader. mr. mcconnell: i know of no further debate. the vice president: pursuant to s. con. res. 1 and section 17

mr. mcconnell, mr. menendez, mr. merkley. >> mr. moran, ms. murkowski, mr. >> mr. ossoff, mr. padilla, mr.. mr. portman, mr. reed, mr. risc. >> ms. rosen, mr. rounds, mr. r. >> mr. sasse, mr. schatz, mr. s. >> mr. scott of south carolina,i nema. >> ms. smith, ms. stabenow, mr.. >> mr. thune, mr. tillis, mr. t. >> mr. van hollen, mr. warner, . >> mr. whitehose, mr. wicker, m. [background sounds] [background sounds] >> the senate will be in order. be in order. the acting sergeant at arms make the proclamation. >> hear ye, , hear ye, hear ye. all persons are commanded to keep silent on payment imprisonment while the house of representatives is exhibiting to the senate of the united states an article of impeachment against donald john trump former president of the united states. >> mr. president? >> the senator from kentucky. >> article to section four of the constitution says the president, vice president and all fellow officers of the united states shall be removed from office on impeachment for an conviction of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. article one

mr. mcconnell is asking for in there. and as you said, we know that mr. and his team are going to be reviewing that. but look, it's going to be critically important that as those dates are determined by majority leader chuck schumer and the senate continues to work to be able to get these confirmations through. i'll just remind everyone that just four years ago, a majority of those important cofnfirmatios were put forth for trump's national security team. ask that's something i hope my senate republican colleagues will see forth and we'll be able to get these through tomorrow and through the weekend. >> it sounds like are you basically okay with the delay? what i'm saying is do you view a delay as a way for republicans to not vote yes or this, right, to put the whole thing away? or do you think a delay is okay, that it's still you get your trial? >> look, there is going to be a trial. the question is when is that trial going to take place. and from my perspective, i agree with what has been laid out by mitch mcconnell's assessment, which is the people wer

mr. mcconnell: for this 117th congress, the american people chose an evenly split senate. 60 republicans and 50 democrats. with the election of vice president harris, that means the democratic leader will act as majority leader. so i want to congratulate my colleague from new york. his pride and emotion were palpable yesterday as this self-described kid from brooklyn and son of an exterminator and a housewife became the first jewish member of congress to lead either chamber. an historic milestone. now, the senate's handled an even split before. 20 years ago, faced with the same scenario, the two leaders brokered a power-sharing agreement so the institution could function smoothly. the democratic leader and i are discussing a similar agreement now. i have been heartened to hear my colleague say he wants the same rules from the 2000's to apply today. because certainly 20 years ago, there was no talk, none whatsoever, of tearing down long-standing minority rights on legislation. the legislative filibuster is a crucial part of the senate, leading democrats like president biden himself have l

mr mcconnell�*s remarks could have serious implications for mr trump when he faces his impeachment trial's time for a look back at the day in parliament. hello, and welcome to tuesday in parliament. coming up in the next half hour: the government faces its second commons rebellion in two days — this time, over whether the uk should do trade with countries that commit genocide. genocide tries to do something that no other crime attempts. it tries to end history. mps hear about the impact of coronavirus on the justice, probation, and prison systems. over three quarters of prisoners told us they were unlocked for less than two hours a day, often sharing a cell in cramped conditions with unscreened toilets and poor ventilation. and a call for ministers to fix a problem that means more red tape for touring musicians. when musicians and creative peoples tour, they don't justi power up an economy that's massively important to us. i they represent us all on the global stage. i but first: for the second day running, the government was under pressure to change policy from its own mps. in the commo

mr. mcconnell, that this unity was nowhere to be found during the obama administration.declared his only goal was to make barack obama a one-term president. and when you failed to stop obama's re-election in 2012, you proceeded to wrap up your obstructionism, to previously unheard of levels, starting with complete stonewalling of judicial nominees. >> i was shocked that former president obama left so many vacancies and didn't try to fill those positions. >> i'll tell you why. i was in charge of what we did the last two years of the obama administration. >> i will give you full credit for that. >> and so you kept those vacancies open for trump. cramming hundreds of ill-qualified judges through. your determined stacking of the federal bench with young ideologues was an obvious bid for power over the american people, long after you're gone. meanwhile, your eschewed legislating almost entirely, aside from a tax cut for the wealthiest among you, you were held on your court packing that you embraced the name grip reaper. refusing to even let them come up with a vote. you embra

mr mcconnell�*s remarks could have serious implications for mr trump when he faces his impeachment trial

mr mcconnell�*s remarks could have serious implications for mr trump when he faces his impeachment trial

mr. mcconnell: normally today and tomorrow, we would be welcoming many thousands of americans to the capitol for the annual march for life. every year, the march is one of the most important things that happens here in washington. americans of all ages, diverse backgrounds, and many faiths speak up peacefully and powerfully for the most fundamental human right. they make our nation confront the fact that even the most modest protections for innocent life are still not secure. the pandemic has taken this year's march online. that's a particular pity given signs that the new administration may be poised to steam roll even the most limited, limited safeguards for conscience, let alone for life itself. the new washington needs to hear the marchers more than ever. a case in point, the word is out our new administration is planning to rescind the mexico city policies this very day, run over the consciences of american taxpayers, and put them back on the hook for funding abortions overseas. an administration that wanted to pursue unity might observe that 77% of americans, including a majority of de

mr. mcconnell: mr. president, for the none of us of all of our colleagues, we don't expect additional votes tonight. so, mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that upon the dissolution of the joint session, the senate stand adjourned to then convene for pro forma sessions only with no business being conducted on the following dates and times and that following each pro forma session the senate adjourn until the next pro forma session. friday january 8, 10. tuesday, january 12 at 12:30 p.m. friday january 15 at 10 a.m. when the senate adjourns on friday, january 15, it next convene at 12:00 noon on tuesday, january 19. further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour deemed expired, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day. finally, following leader remarks the senate proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each. the vice president: without objectio

mr. mcconnell, who are good at using the system as it is. they are good at taking advantage of the limitations of american democracy and the strange rules we have left from the constitution, the possibility for gerrymandering. republican advantages in the senate. rules in the senate and so on. they take advantage of the limits of the democracy but are in favor of the system as it stands. you have a smaller group i call the breakers. mr. cruz, mr. hawley, who have seen in 2020 if want earlier what you can do is lose an election, cry fraud and try to win with a big lie and violence. that turns out to be a very different alternative. that is where the republicans stand. in fairness there is a third, much smaller group, the honorable few. the interesting thing to watch is whether the gamers led by mr. mcconnell shift away from the breakers and towards the honorable few. the dark scenario is the breakers, the people that want to repeat 2020 in 2024 they manage to get hold of the big lie about how the people that voted for trump are victims and tr

and trying to set rules of evidence is for mr trump because a my belief is that mr mcconnell wants mr trump convicted and also precluded is part of the sentence for close from running for president $242024.00 would be a nightmare for mitch mcconnell so even though he's not overtly supporting impeachment i think behind the scenes he is because that would rip the republican party apart indefinitely if trump still could run for office remember he's a complete narcissist and once he knows he can't be president again i believe he'll drift away from politics because he doesn't have any core beliefs it's just about him now with regard to the democrats attaining control and once the new georgia senators are sworn in it could have an impact because a simple majority of the senate prescribes the rules of procedure evidence cross examination time given for argument on one side or the other and even the timing of the witnesses you know geared for prime time because there's no doubt this hearing would be televised i don't want to overstate its importance but i do think it does have an element that

mr. mcconnell who are good at using the system as it is.d at taking advantage of limitations of american democrats, of the strange rules of. constitution. geri mandering. rules in the senate. so on. they take advantage of the limits of our democracy but are in favor the of system as stands and then you have a small group of breakers like mr. cruz and mr. holley who have seen in 2020 of not earlier is you can lose an election, lie fraud, and try to win with violence that turns to be the alternative where republicans stand. in fairness there's a third, mache smaller group you can call the honorable few. will be interesting to watch whether the gamers led by mr. mcconnell shift away from the breakers and towards the honorable few. the dark scenario is that the breakers, the people who want to repeat 2020 in 2024 that they manage to get hold of this big lie about how people who voted for trump is a victim and trump is a victim an they had try to ride that big lie to office themselves in 2024. >> i wonder if that big lie is sustainable if people

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the vice president: the majority mr. president, the majority leader in the democratic leader be allowed to speak and then it not count in relation to the objection raised on the state of arizona. >> is there any objection? >> i want to say the american people, the united states senate will not be intimidated. we will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs or threats. we will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation. we are back at our post. we will discharge our duty under the constitution and for our nation. and we are going to do it tonight. this afternoon congress began the process of honoring the will of the american people and counting the electric college votes. we have fulfilled the solemn duty every four years for more than two centuries. whether our nation has been at war were at peace, under all manner of threats, even during an armed rebellion and a civil war. the clockwork of our democracy has carried on. the united states and the united states congress have faced down much greater threats than the unhi

mr. mcconnell yet? senator schumer: not this morning. reporter: the question about the $2,000 check? are you envisioning a larger package -- senator schumer: as i told you it's one of the first things we want to do. the georgia senators campaigned on it, our caucus is for t the american people need it. reporter: how does this change the calendar and way forward -- senator schumer: obviously with democratic control the ability of joe biden to move nominations forward will be easier. the calendar i haven't begun to look at yet. last one. reporter: could you expand a little bit the moment you found out you would be the majority leader? and secondarily, progressives are still pushing you to the legislative filibuster, can you make that promise right now? senator schumer: we know, we senate democrats know we face some of the -- one of the greatest crises americans v we are united in wanting big bold change and sit down as a caucus and discuss the best ways to get that done. and the first question -- i was sitting at home in brooklyn, watching my television. and at about midnight having ta

mr. president. >> the -- i just want to hear what mcconnell says. >> so, mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that, upon the dissolution of the joint session, the senate stand adjourned, to then convene for pro-for pro-forma sessions only, with no business being conducted on the following dates and times. >> right. and it's so interesting in terms of why people get turned off by government. one little step sideways. we are going to come back tomorrow for pro-forma sessions where no business is conducted. only in government, do you have a meeting to do nothing. now, what that means is they will not get your business done, tonight. the vice president had said, in kind of a strong statement of retaliation to the terrorism today. i mean, look. that's what it was. it's not just violence. it was politically directed. they wanted to undo this process. it was an insurrection. they wanted to take over the coop to capitol. they wanted this not to happen. this is a unique level of animus for us. now, what happened with this vote, 93-7, means that seven senators, all re

mr. mcconnell: mr. president. the presiding officer: the republican leader is recognized. mr. mcconnell: mr. president, yesterday two democratic senators confirmed they will not provide the votes to eliminate the legislative filibuster. senior senator from west virginia issued a public, quote, guarantee, end quote. i do not support doing away with the filibuster under any condition, end quote. any chance of changing his mind? quote, none whatsoever. the senior senator from arizona made the same commitment. she opposes ending the legislative filibuster and, quote, is not open -- not open to changing her mind, end quote. our colleague informed me directly last night that under no circumstances would she reverse course. now, it should not be news that a few members of the majority pledged they won't tear up an essential rule, but the democratic leader was reluctant to repeat the step i took as majority leader and unified government when i ruled out that step on principle. rather than relying on the democratic leader, i took the discussion directly to his members. basic arithmetic

mr. mcconnell. >> please raise your right hand. do you solemnly swear you will support and defend the constitution of the united states, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you bear true faith and allegiance to the same; do you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which you are about to enter, so help you god?mele ot r. >> i do. >> congratulations senator . >> the clerk will call the names of the next pair. >> mr. markley. mr. peters. >> please raise your right hand. do you solemnly swear you will support and defend the constitution of the united states, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you bear true faith and allegiance to the same; do you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which you are about to enter, so help you god?than . >> i do. >> congratulations, sena

mr. mcconnell. if president trump doesn't get convicted in the senate, the congress arguably could essentially just vote by a majority vote to find that president trump's role in this insurrection renders him banned from further public office for life because of that provision in the 14th amendment of the constitution. legal scholars are now arguing the congress could do such a thing corks invoke the 14th paemd way with or without the president being convicted in the senate. and that could roll up on us fast as well. coming up, we'll talk with one of the legal scholars who has been playing out the road map for doing just that. but all of these things are happening in a rush, right? the strands of news developments are sort of twining together. the aftermath, the reaction, the repercussions to the trump attack on the capitol this week are bringing some of these into a single cord. maybe it's a fuse. they're all coming together and being pursued all at once. for example, late today we got an extraordi

mr trump's last day was soured when mitch mcconnell, one of his biggest allies, accused the outgoingresident of provoking the capitol riot. in other news, another 1000 600 and 10 people have died from covid in the uk — that's the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic. people are just dying and dying and dying, you know? even though it's ourjob and we deal with people every day, this...this level, i think, has taken its toll. hello to you. 0n the eve of his inauguration, president—electjoe biden along with vice president—elect kamala harris have attended a covid memorial service in washington, in tribute to the 400,000 americans who've lost their lives to coronavirus. national landmarks were lit up in tribute. mr biden — who will spend the night at the presidential guest house blair house — paid tribute to medical workers and spoke of the importance of healing as a nation. to heal, we must remember. and it's hard sometimes to remember, but that's how we heal. it's important to do that as a nation. that's why we're here today. between sundown and dusk, let us shine the l

mr. mcconnell says we will not convene the senate until january 19.t least 17 republicans to vote guilty in order for mr. trump be convicted. to tells about the likelihood is our correspondent, gary o'donogh. reporter: it is more likely than even eight days ago that 17 republicans will abandon donald ump, particularly after e scenes last wednesday. they horrified democrats and republicans in the senate and house as well. they felt under threat, under physical threat, from these protesters who were reported to be supporters of the president. so that is a big change. the other big change that has taken place is that the republican leader in the senate, mitch mcconnell, has indicated he is open to the impeachment process, possibly even open to the idea of convicting donald trump. and that gives a big, big green light to rublican setors who may have been wavering, gives them cover. whether it is enough to get those 17 votes, we will have to wait and see because it is still a big, big ask. there is going to be an interesting debate by democrats over how bi

mr. mcconnell? >> no. >> reporter: but today, mcconnell, too, voted that the impeachment trial should not proceed. in fact, only five republican senators voted to move forward. and one of them, susan collins of maine, later saying this -- >> i think it's pretty obvious from the vote today that it is extraordinarily unlikely that the president will be convicted. just do the math. >> reporter: democrats need the support of 17 republicans to convict trump. and today's show of force, an early indicator that they just won't get there. >> all right, so, let's get to rachel back up on the hill tonight. and rachel, last night even president biden telling cnn that he believes the impeachment trial has to happen, in his words, but that he does not think the former president will be convicted. so, knowing that, and you heard senator collins there saying do the math, what are you hearing from democratic leadership tonight about the reasons for moving forward, what will they tell the american people? and any addi