Since the elections in November, it has become clear that the US Congress will be the most female ever in history. And never have MPs come from so many different ethnic groups. On Thursday it was time – the many new celebrated their announcement, but then it went straight to work.
The Democrats have for the first time since 2011 again a majority in the House of Representatives. The end of the dry spell also marks a high point in Nancy Pelosi’s career.
The now most important opponent of President Donald Trump was elected chairman of the House of Representatives. She had this role as the first woman in US history from 2007 to 2011.
Pelosi received 220 out of a total of 435 votes. At least 15 Democrat MPs did not vote for Pelosi. In the Senate – the second chamber of the US Parliament – Vice President Mike Pence sworn the 100 senators. Two out of every 50 states come, 35 were redefined in November. In the Senate, the Republicans continue to have a majority of 53 to 47 seats.
There have been 111 new faces in the congress since Thursday: for the first time, ten senators and 101 deputies were sworn in. Never before have there been so many women in the House of Representatives – and never before have MPs come from so many different ethnic groups.
Pelosi said after the vote of a „historical moment“ and said: „Two months ago, the American people have spoken and demanded a new dawn.“ The Republicans offered cooperation. „We will strive to shake hands with the passage in this Chamber and the divisions in our nation.“ She confessed, „that this Congress will be transparent, non-partisan and unifying.“
The 78-year-old was party disputed. Critics accused her of sticking to leadership. Your person does not stand for a new beginning of the Democrats in the Washington politics, which is described by many Americans as intransparent to corrupt.
Pelosi said in her speech: „Let us assure each other that we respect each other and respect the truth when we disagree.“ This could be seen as a swipe at Trump, whose statements often contain half or falsehoods and disrespectful criticism to blame with opponents.
Oath of office together with children
At the oath of office, the 78-year-old initially invited her nine grandchildren to join the speakers‘ desk. She then added, „And all the other kids who want to join them.“ At that point, children were also pouring into the front of the room from other MPs. After being sworn in, Pelosi stepped to her first act as chairman and said, „I’ll call the house to order now – in the name of all the children of America.“
Pelosi then asked the children if they wanted to go back to their parents. When some of the young visitors hesitated, she said, „You can stay if you want!“ After that, Pelosi asked the House members to stand up for their oath of office. „They all got up,“ a boy noted on Pelosis left side for safety’s sake. After the deputies were sworn in, the children left the stage again – some gave the new chairman a kiss on the cheek.
„Shutdown“ dispute as the first test
The change in the House of Representatives comes in the midst of a partial government shutdown („shutdown“) in the US. Republicans and Democrats have been unable to agree with President Trump on the extension of a budget law. Trump wants funding for the construction of a boundary wall in the law – otherwise he would refuse his necessary signature, he announced.
After days of deadlock, it is expected that both parties will try to come up with compromise proposals soon. Pelosi had announced for Thursday (local time) a new push. In fact, the Democrats introduced their two-part proposal, which has been known for days. It will provide $ 1.3 billion for border security – and only until the end of February. „Nothing for the wall,“ Pelosi had already made clear in advance. The other ministries concerned by the „shutdown“ would secure a budget by autumn.
Trump refuses to sign
Trump, for his part, had rejected the attack days ago. He refuses to sign a budget law if it does not allocate more than five billion dollars to the wall he has long been demanding on the Mexican border.
In the Senate, the second chamber of the US Parliament, Trump’s Republicans have a comparatively comfortable majority. However, budgetary matters require the support of Democrats.
Investigations against presidents
It is expected in the coming months that the Democrats will make use of the opportunity to launch numerous parliamentary investigations against Trump and, if necessary, to summon him – even to a possible impeachment. This is in principle possible with the majority of Democrats in the event of suspicion of serious misconduct.
However, such a procedure would be led and ultimately decided in the Republican-dominated Senate. In order to deprive Trump of the office, it would therefore require a repatriation movement of the Republican from its president.
