White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiSunday shows preview: CDC school reopening guidance stirs debate; Texas battles winter freeze Biden to meet virtually with Canada’s Trudeau on Tuesday Iran poses early test for Biden’s diplomacy-first approach MORE avoided answering questions on Sunday on whether President BidenJoe BidenClose to 70 dead in states with severe winter weather: report Two more deaths confirmed in Louisiana related to severe winter weather Lawyer who filed suit to reverse 2020 election results referred by judge for discipline MORE still believes New York Gov. Andrew CuomoAndrew CuomoGovernors in hot water over their coronavirus response Media’s gushing promotion of Gov. Cuomo looks pretty bad now Cancun Cruz deserves to be dragged, but media’s selective outrage is painfully apparent MORE (D) represents the “gold standard” when it comes to leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
On ABC’s “This Week,” host Jonathan Karl played a tape from last April of Biden saying Cuomo was “sort of the gold standard” as New York battled with skyrocketing cases in the early months of the pandemic, adding that the governor “has done one hell of a job.” Cuomo’s office’s handling of coronavirus outbreaks in the state’s nursing homes is now the subject of a federal investigation by the FBI and the U.S attorney in Brooklyn, who is probing unidentified members of Cuomo’s administration.
When asked if Biden still believes Cuomo represents the “gold standard,” Psaki insisted that Biden would continue to work with Cuomo, as he would with all governors.
“We work with Gov. Cuomo just like we work with governor’s across the country,” Psaki said, noting his position as the chair of the National Governors Association. “He plays an important role in ensuring that we’re coordinating closely in getting assistance out to people in his state and to state’s across the country and we’ll continue to do that.”
Psaki said investigations into nursing home deaths during the pandemic would be up to law enforcement authorities to “determine how that path is going to move as we look forward but we are going to continue to work with a range of governors including of course Gov. Cuomo because we think the people of New York, the people of states across the country need assistance not just to get through the pandemic but to get through this difficult economic time and that’s where our focus remains.”
When Karl pressed again whether Biden still believes Cuomo is the gold standard on leadership during the pandemic, asking her to answer “just a yes or no,” Psaki said, “It doesn’t always have to be a yes or no answer, Jon.”
“I think the president is focused on his goal, his objectives as president of the United States,” Psaki said. “I’m not here to give new labels or names from the president, I’m here to communicate with you about what our focuses are and what his objectives are as president.”
Cuomo has faced increased criticism including from other Democrats in New York, which has also prompted Democratic state Senate leadership to take steps to remove his emergency powers amid questions surrounding nursing home deaths. He has refused to apologize, instead blaming critics for being in a “toxic political environment.”
The first weeks of President Biden’s administration have been a striking contrast with the chaos and turmoil of the Trump administration, bringing a sense of normality back to the White House and government.
Biden, along with Vice President Harris, begins each day receiving the President’s Daily Brief, usually before 10 a.m. His administration has revived the White House daily briefings every weekday.
And when he has signed executive actions, they have usually been paired with events where the president delivers scripted remarks on policy, and he has rarely answered shouted questions from reporters.
The White House also routinely sends out press releases that seem familiar. In the early days of the presidency, it issued a statement recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month — a day that had been routinely marked by previous administrations but ignored under Trump.
The White House is returning to making visitor logs public on a quarterly basis, a practice that was held under the Obama administration but jettisoned under Trump. Former Obama officials have described Biden’s Cabinet as an extended family of sorts, filled with people whom he has worked with for years and trusts.
“I think one of the main objectives here was giving the presidency a sense of normalcy,” said one longtime Biden aide. “Enough of the crazy shit we experienced for four years.”
After a two-hour meeting on Monday with 10 GOP senators, there were no reports of anyone insulting one another — something that happened frequently when Democrats and Trump got together — though there was no deal either. Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsThe Memo: Bad jobs report boosts Biden stimulus case Five takeaways from the budget marathon Don’t let this unifying moment go to waste MORE (R-Me.) described the meeting as “cordial” and expressed gratitude to Biden for hosting them.
Biden’s tweets, written in lowercase letters, are frequently mundane policy missives. It’s a striking contrast with Trump’s hourly 280-character megaphone, where he often picked fights or criticized and mocked opponents.
“It’s so funny – I hear from friends on both sides of the aisle how cleansing it is to wake up in the morning without feeling that the day will be inflamed by a crazy tweet,” said former Rep. Steve IsraelSteven (Steve) J. IsraelBiden faces monumental task healing divided country The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump impeached again; now what? Democrats need a post-Trump message MORE, who served as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the Obama era. “Even people who disagree with President Biden say that at least we’re back to normal.”
Biden’s life outside of the bubble also echoes a time before the Trump era.
He went to church on his first Sunday in office — a routine White House aides expect to continue — at Holy Trinity in Georgetown and made a run for bagels afterward, with Secret Service agents placing the order at the window of the popular “Call Your Mother” deli.
The Bidens have brought their two German shepherds, Champ and Major, to the White House with them and they intend to get a cat. First lady Jill BidenJill BidenJill Biden and dogs to appear in ad promoting mask use during Puppy Bowl Hunter Biden to release memoir on April 6 Congressional leaders pay tribute as Capitol Police officer lies in honor MORE, who has spent most of her career as a community college teacher, is continuing to hold a teaching position at Northern Virginia Community College.
When he was vice president, Biden sought to keep some normalcy in his life, too. He and Jill Biden slipped out of the Naval Observatory occasionally to catch a movie. He made headlines for getting pizza with one of his granddaughters.
He surprised a staffer when it was her birthday by stopping by the Italian restaurant where colleagues had gathered. He was also known to frequent Brooks Brothers on his way home from work at 1600 Pennsylvania.
The difference from the Trump years is stark — even those who worked in his White House acknowledge it.
“If you think about the first weeks of the Trump presidency, and even back in the transition, it was defined by disarray and jockeying for power,” said Anthony ScaramucciAnthony ScaramucciPence, other GOP officials expected to skip Trump send-off Kelly says Trump can’t admit to making mistakes: ‘His manhood is at issue here’ C-SPAN’s Steve Scully completes his three month suspension MORE, who served as Trump’s communications director for 11 days.
From the beginning, Trump’s White House was marked by loud firings, tweets and fights that generated intense and constant press coverage. Trump’s decisions and actions were unpredictable, even among his staff, which unlike Biden’s, was filled with outsiders.
“Trump was elected because he didn’t have political or government or military experience,” said Barbara Perry, director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. “In fact, that was a selling point for him.”
She said that “in the minds of people who voted for him, it wasn’t a weakness it was a plus,” but argued that it did not lead to “informed leadership at the top.”
Chris Lu, who served as Cabinet Secretary in the Obama White House, drew a comparison between the new administration and the Obama, Clinton and Bush White Houses.
“It’s refreshing how normal it is. This is what happens in a normal White House. You have a process for making policy decisions, you have a message of the day, you have a president who sticks to the message. You have a sense of order,” Lu said.
It is not all hunky-dory, as Biden, who pegged himself a moderate Democrat during the campaign, is facing expected pressures from the left and the right as he enacts his agenda.
There have been familiar policy and political disputes ranging from the size and substance of the COVID-19 relief measure — Republicans have balked at the price tag — to whether Biden is going too far in restricting oil and gas drilling to reduce climate change.
Yet even the controversies at the White House seem like a return to normalcy. White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Senate Dems haggle over .9 trillion COVID relief details CDC says schools are safe, but Biden continues to ignore science, doctors Watch live: White House holds press briefing MORE was criticized by conservatives this week for dismissing a question about the Space Force, the sixth military branch established under Trump. She later issued a tweet that made it clear the Biden administration sees the Space Force as important, an apparent effort to dispel the criticism.
There’s a notable contrast with Capitol Hill, where tensions remain high one month after an angry pro-Trump mob attacked the Capitol. The House voted on Thursday to remove first-term Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) from her committee assignments as punishment for a string of controversies, including remarks about school shootings being staged.
Both the Capitol and White House remained fortified by large fences, a daily reminder of the violence one month earlier. Psaki told reporters this week that the perimeter would be adjusted when it “makes sense from an overall security standpoint.”
Biden’s White House has sought to project order and control while taking over amid a deadly spike in the pandemic and a severe economic downturn. Biden has also tried to manage expectations, warning repeatedly that it will take months to change the course of the virus.
Trump was elected at least partly as a response by voters who disliked the Obama years and what they represented. This could suggest there’s at least some political risk to doing things the way they were done from 2009 to 2016.
Yet Democratic strategist Eddie Vale argued voters are likely to like the signals from Biden so far as a welcome break.
“Just having a sense of normalcy and routine is already making people feel better, but, it’s actually most effective because it’s also infused with competency that is already showing people with action that we are going to come back – or dare I say build back better – from this recession and pandemic,” he said.
President Biden and a group of 10 GOP senators agreed on Monday to hold additional negotiations on coronavirus relief, as they look to find room to craft a bipartisan agreement.
The group of Republicans met with Biden at the White House on Monday for roughly two hours, significantly longer than either side had expected the meeting would last. Both sides characterized the meeting as productive, though the White House indicated that Biden would not back down from his demand for a robust package despite opposition from Republicans.
Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to White House for relief talks The president has changed, but Washington hasn’t MORE (R-Maine), who has taken the lead on trying to negotiate a deal, called the meeting “very productive” and “cordial.”
“It was a very good exchange of views. I wouldn’t say that we came together on a package tonight, no one expected that in a two hour meeting. But what we did agree to do was follow up and talk further at the staff level and amongst ourselves and with the president and vice president on how we can continue to work together on this very important issue,” Collins said outside of the White House on Monday night.
The White House in a statement called the meeting “productive” and “substantive” but added that Biden “reiterated that while he is hopeful that the Rescue Plan can pass with bipartisan support, a reconciliation package is a path to achieve that end.” The White House also made clear that Biden believes the $618 billion proposal unveiled by the GOP senators falls short.
“While there were areas of agreement, the President also reiterated his view that Congress must respond boldly and urgently, and noted many areas which the Republican senators’ proposal does not address,” White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to White House for relief talks Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi detained in early morning raid as military takes over country MORE said. “The President also made clear that the American Rescue Plan was carefully designed to meet the stakes of this moment, and any changes in it cannot leave the nation short of its pressing needs.”
The meeting marked Biden’s first visit he’s had with lawmakers in the Oval Office, a fact Collins touted to reporters.
“[It] was an excellent meeting, and we’re very appreciative that as his first official meeting in the Oval Office the president chose to spend so much time with us in a frank and very useful discussion,” she said.
The GOP group used the sit-down meeting to explain their $618 billion coronavirus proposal to Biden, Vice President Harris and top aides. The White House also provided more details on its $1.9 trillion package after senators in both parties pushed for more details on how the administration came up with its proposal.
Collins — the only GOP senator to speak after the meeting — didn’t address a decision by Democratic leadership to lay the groundwork this week for passing a coronavirus bill by a simple majority, allowing them to bypass GOP support if they need to.
Instead, she noted Congress has previously been able to negotiate bipartisan coronavirus relief bills. Many of the senators were part of the so-called 908 coalition that proposed a framework late last year that leadership credited with breaking a months-long stalemate.
“We have demonstrated in the last year that we can come together on a bipartisan package. … I am hopeful that we can once again pass a sixth bipartisan COVID relief package,” Collins said.
But there are big differences between the package offered by the GOP group and the larger $1.9 trillion one backed by Democrats. While Biden would prefer to sign a bill with GOP support, the White House made clear Monday that he would support Democrats passing the bill through reconciliation with a simple majority.
The GOP proposal includes $160 billion in pandemic response funding including protective equipment and more money for vaccine distribution. It also extends the $300 per week federal unemployment benefit through June 30.
The bill includes a $1,000 direct payment to Americans, compared with the $1,400 direct payment in Biden’s plans, with $500 for adult dependents and children. The proposal also lowers the income cap for qualifying for the direct assistance.
Under previous coronavirus bills, individuals who make up to $75,000 would receive the check, with the amount of the payment phasing out after that. But under the GOP proposal, individuals who make up to $40,000 would get a $1,000 check, with the amount of the check phasing out altogether at $50,000.
It also includes $20 billion in additional funding for schools, $20 billion in child care funding, an additional $50 billion in small business aid, $12 billion for nutrition assistance and $4 billion for behavioral health resources.
But incoming Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenHillicon Valley: Fallout from Reddit-driven stock rallies, GameStop purchase ban continues | Lawmakers grill NSA on years-old breach in the wake of massive Russian hack | Facebook reportedly considering antitrust lawsuit against Apple Lawmakers grill NSA on years-old breach in the wake of massive Russian hack Lawmakers offer bill to repeal cap on SALT deduction MORE (D-Ore.) warned that the GOP offer didn’t go far enough, previewing the backlash Biden is likely to face if he agrees to go substantially lower.
“The package outlined by 10 Senate Republicans is far too small to provide the relief the American people need. In particular, a three-month extension of jobless benefits is a non-starter. … We can’t keep jumping from cliff to cliff every few months,” Wyden said in a statement, adding that an “extension of benefits for at least six months is essential.”
Democratic Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterIndigenous groups mount campaign against ABC’s ‘Big Sky’ VA secretary nominee sails through confirmation hearing To protect our parks, hit pause on leasing MORE (Mont.), one of the caucus’s more moderate members, also warned that he didn’t think the GOP plan was big enough.
“I think it’s got to be bigger than that. … If we have to come back time and time and time again, I just don’t think that’s good for the economy, I don’t think it’s good for certainty,” Tester said.
The meeting comes hours after Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerCongressional Democrats are on the wrong side of impeachment politics Proposal for permanent Capitol fencing sparks bipartisan pushback Immigration reform can’t wait MORE (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Portman says Republican leadership ‘ought to stand up’ against Greene’s comments Congressional Democrats are on the wrong side of impeachment politics MORE (D-Calif.) filed a budget resolution that will include instructions to craft a $1.9 trillion bill that Democrats could pass under reconciliation, which allows them to avoid a 60-vote legislative filibuster.
“Democrats welcome the ideas and input of our Senate Republican colleagues. The only thing we cannot accept is a package that is too small or too narrow to pull our country out of this emergency. We cannot repeat the mistake of 2009,” Schumer said from the Senate floor.
White House spokeswoman Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden meeting with GOP senators Monday on coronavirus relief Biden invites GOP senators to White House for relief talks Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi detained in early morning raid as military takes over country MORE said Monday that President Biden and his administration don’t spend a lot of time thinking about former President TrumpDonald TrumpBiden reverses Trump last-minute attempt to freeze .4 billion of programs Trump announces new impeachment legal team after reported departures Republicans scramble to unify heading into next election cycle MORE and they don’t “miss” him on Twitter.
Speaking at the press briefing, Psaki was asked if Trump’s absence from the social media platforms made Biden’s life easier because the former president is not able to rile up GOP lawmakers to oppose the new administration’s initiatives, such as a COVID-19 relief package that is in limbo.
“This may be hard to believe, we don’t spend a lot of time talking about or thinking about President Trump here – former President Trump, to be very clear,” Psaki said. “That’s a question that is probably more appropriate for Republican members who are looking for ways to support a bipartisan package, and whether that gives them space. But I can’t say we miss him on Twitter.”
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.@PressSec: “I can’t say we miss [former President Trump] on Twitter https://t.co/jXFk3LfW1S pic.twitter.com/RsR9fo0vB9
— The Hill (@thehill) February 1, 2021
Biden will meet with Republican senators pushing a scaled-back coronavirus relief package Monday afternoon, as the administration considers whether it should try and push through its much larger package without GOP support.
Trump has been conspicuously quiet amid Biden’s first big policy fight in Washington.
Twitter and Facebook suspended Trump’s accounts after he spoke to a crowd of supporters the day a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol building to try and stop the Electoral College vote count.
A group of GOP senators will meet with President Biden on Monday after pitching their own coronavirus relief framework.
“We appreciate the President’s quick response to our letter, and we are pleased to accept his invitation to the White House tomorrow afternoon to discuss the path forward for the sixth bipartisan Covid-19 relief package,” the GOP senators said in a joint statement.
The group includes GOP Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBiden reignites immigration fight in Congress Paul says Roberts’s absence ‘crystalized’ argument against Trump impeachment Democrats ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 relief bill MORE (Maine), Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiPaul says Roberts’s absence ‘crystalized’ argument against Trump impeachment How McConnell derailed Trump’s impeachment trial before it started Kaine eyes next week to file censure aiming to bar Trump from future office MORE (Alaska), Bill CassidyBill CassidySunday shows preview: New COVID-19 variants spread in US; Redditors shake Wall Street with Gamestop stock OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden signs series of orders to tackle climate change | Republicans press Granholm on fossil fuels during confirmation hearing Republicans press Granholm on fossil fuels during confirmation hearing MORE (La.), Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRomney blasts news of Trump call with Taylor Greene: ‘Lies of a feather flock together’ Marjorie Taylor Greene touts Trump call amid growing backlash Leaving the GOP After 46 years and feeling ‘politically homeless’ MORE (Utah), Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSunday shows preview: New COVID-19 variants spread in US; Redditors shake Wall Street with Gamestop stock The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Which path will Democrats take on COVID-19 bill? Democrats ready to bypass Republicans on COVID-19 relief bill MORE (Ohio), Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoModerates vow to ‘be a force’ under Biden The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits headwinds Bipartisan Senate gang to talk with Biden aide on coronavirus relief MORE (W.Va.), Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungSenate panel advances Buttigieg nomination in 21-3 vote Trump, allies raise pressure on Senate GOP ahead of impeachment Moderates vow to ‘be a force’ under Biden MORE (Ind), Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranSenate GOP boxes itself in on impeachment Moderates vow to ‘be a force’ under Biden The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden’s crisis agenda hits headwinds MORE (Kan.), Mike RoundsMike RoundsBipartisan group discussing Senate rules change Senate GOP signals it’s likely to acquit Trump for second time The Memo: Chances recede of GOP breaking with Trump MORE (S.D.) and Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisSenate GOP signals it’s likely to acquit Trump for second time Senate committee advances Biden’s DHS pick despite Republican pushback Democrat Jeff Jackson jumps into North Carolina Senate race MORE (N.C.).
White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiMenendez calls for sanction on Russia after Navalny protests Biden signs executive orders at furious pace Biden, Yellen call for swift action on coronavirus relief package MORE disclosed on Sunday night that Biden had spoken to Collins, who he previously served with in the Senate and who has taken the lead in trying to jumpstart bipartisan negotiations on the next round of coronavirus relief, and invited her and the other nine GOP senators to the White House.
The GOP senators outlined their own coronavirus framework earlier Sunday that Cassidy put around $600 billion — less than a third of the roughly $1.9 trillion plan offered by Biden.
The GOP proposal would include $1,000 checks, while Democrats are pushing for $1,400 checks. It also includes more money for vaccines, extends unemployment benefits and includes things like nutrition assistance, small business aid and money for schools and childcare.
The GOP letter comes as Democrats appear ready to move this week to set the stage for passing an eventual coronavirus relief bill through reconciliation, a budget process that will let them avoid a 60-vote legislative filibuster in the Senate.
The House will vote on the budget resolution this week that will include instructions for crafting the coronavirus bill, with the Senate hoping to follow quickly. Democrats are hoping to be able to pass the coronavirus relief bill by mid-March, when unemployment benefits are set to expire.
But Republicans have shown no signs of supporting a $1.9 trillion bill after Congress passed an additional $900 billion in coronavirus relief late last year—the fifth package that Congress has passed.
Instead, the GOP senators, in their letter, urged Biden to work with them on a proposal, which they predicted could get through Congress if he supports it.
“The proposal we have outlined is mindful of these past efforts, while also acknowledging the priorities that need additional support right now,” the GOP senators wrote.
“With your support, we believe Congress can once again craft a relief package that will provide meaningful, effective assistance to the American people and set us on a path to recovery,” they added.
Democrats have slim margins in both chambers, and progressives, who view $1.9 trillion as the minimum Congress should be spending, would likely balk at a substantially lower price tag.
In addition to speaking to Collins, Psaki said that Biden spoke with House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiFBI: Woman arrested in Capitol riot allegedly said she wanted to shoot Pelosi ‘in the friggin’ brain’ Did Trump know what was about to happen Jan. 6? Marjorie Taylor Greene touts Trump call amid growing backlash MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Democratic Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerProposal for permanent Capitol fencing sparks bipartisan pushback Immigration reform can’t wait Psaki expects DHS nominee Mayorkas to head task force to reunite separated families MORE (D-N.Y.) on Sunday.
“He is grateful that Congress is prepared to begin action on the American Rescue Plan in just his second full week in office,” she said.
Psaki also gave no indication that Biden was considering abandoning his $1.9 trillion proposal for a smaller plan.
“The American Rescue Plan … is badly needed. As leading economists have said, the danger now is not in doing too much: it is in doing too little,” she added.
The White House invite also comes as Schumer, speaking to reporters in New York, reiterated his warning that Democrats were willing to move forward without Republicans if they wouldn’t support a “bold” plan.
“We intend to move forward. We hope that we can move forward with a bipartisan way with our Republican colleagues cooperating. But we need big, bold action and if we can’t move forward with them, we’ll have to move forward on our own. Getting the job done in a big bold way is the number one priority,” he added.
Schumer also appeared cool to the GOP proposal, telling the New York Daily News that Republicans “should negotiate.”
“If the reports are true, it doesn’t have any state and local money in it. Look at that, just as one thing,” Schumer said.
President Biden’s promise to bring the U.S. back to the global stage is being delayed — at least by a few days — in the Senate, where his nominee for secretary of State, Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenState Dept. to review Trump admin’s decision to label Houthis a terrorist organization Overnight Defense: Austin takes helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of Day 1 agenda | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking garage Senate confirms Austin to lead Pentagon under Biden MORE, is in confirmation limbo.
Some Senate Democrats have criticized the delay, arguing the Senate should already have had a vote on his confirmation.
“The secretary of State is fourth in the line of succession. Leaving that office vacant is irresponsible,” Sen. Robert MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezSenate presses Biden’s pick for secretary of State on Iran, China, Russia and Yemen Year-end deal creates American Latino, women’s history museums Lawmakers call for including creation of Latino, women’s history museums in year-end spending deal MORE (D-N.J.), the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in floor remarks on Thursday.
The White House on Friday appeared to downplay the delay while thanking the Senate for confirming Biden’s pick for the Pentagon.
“I know that our Secretary of State is just about to get confirmed, or so Sen. [Mitch] McConnell [R-Ky.] tells us,” White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiBiden under pressure to deliver more COVID-19 shots Biden, Trudeau agree to meet next month Democrats seek answers on impact of Russian cyberattack on Justice Department, Courts MORE said.
It’s been a chaotic few weeks in the Senate, where the power shifted Wednesday when three new Democratic senators were sworn in — including the two who won runoff elections in Georgia earlier this month — along with Vice President Harris.
Harris will cast the tie-breaking vote in the 50-50 Senate, giving Democrats the majority.
But Democrats and Republicans have not agreed on organization rules for the Senate, meaning Republicans still have majorities on some committees.
Battles over the election also contributed to a slow pace on nominations.
The Senate did confirm Biden’s pick as his director of national intelligence, Avril HainesAvril HainesBiden DHS, Intel picks stress need to prioritize cybersecurity after SolarWinds hack Biden Intel chief nominee Avril Haines pledges public report on QAnon threat Former Trump intel chief Coats introduces Biden nominee Haines at hearing MORE, on Thursday. On Friday, it confirmed Secretary of Defense Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinTrump impeachment trial to begin week of Feb. 8 Trump DHS chief argues for swift confirmation of Biden pick amid Hawley hold Overnight Defense: Austin takes helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of Day 1 agenda | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking garage MORE.
Blinken could be confirmed early next week, and Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) said there should be a strong bipartisan interest in confirming him.
Monday is the earliest a confirmation vote can happen, according to a Republican Senate aide, who said Risch is working to achieve unanimous consent from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to allow the confirmation vote to proceed.
If unanimous consent is not reached, the full committee would vote Monday evening on whether to send Blinken’s confirmation to the Senate floor for a vote.
Another reason Blinken’s nomination has been delayed is that committee members are working to review his answers to at least 780 questions submitted by lawmakers. Blinken also took part in a nearly five-hour hearing on Tuesday.
In comparison, 550 written questions were submitted to former President TrumpDonald TrumpMcCarthy says he told Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene he disagreed with her impeachment articles against Biden Biden, Trudeau agree to meet next month Trump planned to oust acting AG to overturn Georgia election results: report MORE’s last secretary of State, Mike PompeoMike PompeoState Dept. to review Trump admin’s decision to label Houthis a terrorist organization VOA reinstates White House reporter reassigned after questioning Pompeo Jilani: China ‘sending clear message’ to Biden officials with sanctions that opposition could lead to ‘future pay cut’ MORE. Trump’s first nominee, Rex TillersonRex Wayne TillersonTillerson: ‘We squandered the best opportunity we had on North Korea’ State Department sets up new bureau for cybersecurity and emerging technologies Lawmakers express concern about lack of young people in federal workforce MORE, was given 715.
Secretaries of State John KerryJohn KerryParis Agreement: Biden’s chance to restore international standing Kerry promises Europeans Biden will seek to make up time on climate action OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden recommits US to Paris climate accord | Biden nixes Keystone XL permit, halts Arctic refuge leasing | Interior secretary rescinds wilderness protection order before leaving office MORE and Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonTexas Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones request to toss lawsuits from Sandy Hook parents Paris Agreement: Biden’s chance to restore international standing Samantha Power’s Herculean task: Turning a screw with a rubber screwdriver MORE, who both served in the Obama administration, had to answer 291 and 498 questions, respectively.
The Republican aide defended the number of questions.
“The chairman does not like to ask questions just to ask questions, they were all substantive, at least the questions that we submitted,” the aide said.
The aide added that the committee is on pace to move Blinken’s nomination faster than Tillerson’s. He was confirmed nearly three weeks after his marathon hearing before the committee.
“Risch supports unprecedented actions, including a [unanimous consent] agreement that would bypass regular order of the committee,” the Republican aide said of Blinken’s confirmation.
Absent a confirmed secretary, the State Department is being run by director of the Foreign Service Institute Daniel Smith.
James Dobbins, a senior fellow with the RAND Corporation and who has served as assistant secretary of state for Europe, said the delay on Blinken’s confirmation vote is not “extraordinary at this point, but if it lingered for a few more days, it would become unusual.”
“The secretary of State is the face of American diplomacy and the person to whom the people who are responsible for the diplomacy of other countries turn to,” he said.
“I think it delays the normalization of relations between the United States and its allies. Also it can delay dealing with, probably not the most urgent problems, but pressing problems with adversaries and other countries as well,” he added.
Foreign diplomats are eager to engage with Blinken, the Biden administration and their senior staff, after months of a strict no-contact policy between the transition team and foreign governments.
“Obviously there’s a little bit of excitement in capitals, and people wanting to talk to people, and it further delays that,” said one European diplomat, who asked to remain anonymous to speak candidly.
“It is what it is – it’s just another few days, after a couple of months of not being able to engage with the President of the United States team.”
Despite not having his full team in place, Biden is pushing forward on signing a stack of executive orders that include reversing foreign policy actions by the Trump administration.
This includes rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement, steps welcomed by U.S. allies.
“WHO is a family of nations and we are all glad that the United States is staying in the family,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization said during the first meeting with Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care — Fauci: Lack of facts ‘likely’ cost lives in coronavirus fight | CDC changes COVID-19 vaccine guidance to allow rare mixing of Pfizer, Moderna shots | Senate chaos threatens to slow Biden’s agenda Fauci infuriated by threats to family Poll: Plurality of voters say coronavirus vaccine rollout slower than expected MORE, Biden’s envoy to the WHO.
Biden is relying on his national security council to engage with close U.S. allies over pressing issues related to Russia, North Korea, Iran and China.
Jake SullivanJake SullivanWhite House: It will be ‘a bit of time’ before Biden’s first foreign trip Biden national security adviser holds introductory calls with foreign counterparts Biden to nix border wall, ‘Muslim ban’ on first day in office MORE, Biden’s national security adviser, held separate introductory calls with senior national security officials from France, Germany and the United Kingdom discussing issues related to China, Iran and Russia.
Sullivan also held a call with the secretary general of Japan’s national security secretariat. Their conversation focused on challenges from COVID-19, China and North Korea.
One of the most urgent matters that Blinken is expected to address if confirmed is working with Congress to extend the New START nuclear treaty with Russia. It expires Feb. 5.
The treaty imposes limits on each country’s nuclear weapons arsenal and allows for inspections on both sides to verify compliance.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday that the president wants to extend the treaty for five years, an announcement that Russia welcomed.
Blinken, in his confirmation hearing, noted the treaty as one of the first orders of business he would come to the Senate to work on extending.
“What I can tell you is that I know we will be coming to you very quickly, almost immediately to discuss that,” he said.
