The latest on Congress as GOP tensions rise

By Meg Wagner, Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, Melissa Mahtani and Fernando Alfonso III, CNN

Updated 8:04 p.m. ET, February 3, 2021
28 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
12:52 p.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Incoming Senate Judiciary chairman wants to hold Garland hearing Monday

From CNN's Ted Barrett

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he wants to hold confirmation hearing for Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland on Feb. 8, a day before the impeachment trial of former President Trump begins in the Senate.

But he said he doesn’t know if Republicans on the committee would consent to allow it to happen without a one-week formal notification of the hearing, as committee rules require.

Durbin said he planned to talk Wednesday to Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who will be the top Republican on the committee, to see if they can reach an agreement to do it then.

The discussions come after an agreement was reached on an organizing resolution for the Senate, which should be officially adopted by the full Senate at some point Wednesday, that allows Democrats to finally take control of the committees even though they moved into majority control of the Senate back on Jan. 20.

Durbin, who is also the second-ranking member of the Democratic leadership, said he didn’t know if Republicans would agree to a one-day hearing for Garland instead of the customary two-day hearings for attorney general nominees. The outgoing chairman of the committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, has been adamant this week that he wanted two-days of hearings, something that would not be possible with the impeachment trial starting Tuesday.

Asked about Graham’s concerns, Durbin said, “I had a conversation with him (Graham) that left that uncertain so I want to speak to Sen. Grassley directly.”

Durbin also rebutted criticism from Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, who said Democrats were to blame for not filling out Biden’s Cabinet quickly because they were putting Covid relief and the impeachment trial first.

“Of course we want the Cabinet in place,” Durbin told CNN as he left a memorial service of US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol that is the reason an impeachment trial is happening. “We cannot ignore what happened Jan. 6. This day more than others should be a reminder for every member of the Senate and House about what we lost that day and we just can’t ignore that reality and the impeachment that’s looming in the United States Senate.”

He also said it was critical to get Garland confirmed calling him, “The last major element of our national security team. It should be a high priority.”

12:52 p.m. ET, February 3, 2021

No deal between McCarthy and Hoyer on Marjorie Taylor Greene

From CNN's Manu Raju and Daniella Diaz

Erin Scott/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Erin Scott/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

After they spoke, there’s no deal between Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s committee assignments, according to officials with knowledge of the matter and a statement from Hoyer's office.

Democrats are prepared to move forward on their own to stop her assignments if House Republicans don’t act themselves.

"I spoke to Leader McCarthy this morning, and it is clear there is no alternative to holding a Floor vote on the resolution to remove Rep. Greene from her committee assignments. The Rules Committee will meet this afternoon, and the House will vote on the resolution tomorrow," Hoyer said in a statement.

Some background: McCarthy met for several hours last night with Greene at the Capitol.

McCarthy and the GOP Steering Committee also discussed an array of options, including forcing her off just the Education Committee but letting her stay on the Budget Committee, according to a person with knowledge of the talks. But it’s not clear that Democrats would be OK with that — especially if she doesn’t apologize. 

11:35 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Ethics officials give Janet Yellen the green light to look into market turbulence

From CNN’s Matt Egan

Secretary of the Treasury nominee Janet Yellen speaks during an event to name President-elect Joe Biden's economic team at the Queen Theater on December 1, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Secretary of the Treasury nominee Janet Yellen speaks during an event to name President-elect Joe Biden's economic team at the Queen Theater on December 1, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Alex Wong/Getty Images 

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asked for and received authorization from ethics officials to look into issues such as the Reddit-driven volatility on Wall Street, according to a Treasury official.

Yellen, who called for a meeting this week of US regulators to discuss the market volatility, previously disclosed making more than $7 million in recent years by giving speeches to Wall Street banks, major corporations and industry groups.

The authorization from Treasury ethics officials allows Yellen to work on broad issues that come up, not just the current market volatility, the Treasury official said.

Yellen's fees include hundreds of thousands of dollars from Citadel, the hedge fund owned by Ken Griffin that recently bailed out a GameStop short-seller. Citadel Securities, also owned by Griffin, is a major source of revenue for Robinhood, the app that temporarily banned GameStop purchases.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding answers from Robinhood about its ties to Citadel and other hedge funds.

The Treasury official said Yellen was not employed by the companies that paid her speaking fees and her interactions were limited to her role as a speaker.

Yellen can seek further authorization to work on matters involving a specific company she earned speaking fees from, the official said.

11:30 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Hoyer tells Democrats that Greene’s punishment should be “similar” to Steve King’s 

From CNN's Manu Raju and Lauren Fox

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) (C) at the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. 
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) (C) at the U.S. Capitol on January 13, 2021 in Washington, DC.  Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told his colleagues this morning that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy must take action against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene similar to how the House GOP stripped then-Rep. Steve King from his committee assignments after his racist comments.

According to a Democratic leadership aide, “Leader Hoyer said we don’t know what action Leader McCarthy will take, but he needs to take similar action to what he took against Steve King.”

Some background: McCarthy met for several hours Tuesday night with Greene at the Capitol. The California Republican has been silent amid the controversy but has been under growing pressure to act, summoning the powerful Steering Committee for a late-night meeting amid pressure to remove the Georgia Republican from her committee assignments.

11:16 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

"We will never forget his sacrifice," Pelosi says of Capitol officer who died protecting congress

From CNN's Elise Hammond

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., arrives for a ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, as an urn with his cremated remains lies in honor on a black-draped table at the center of the Capitol Rotunda, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., arrives for a ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, as an urn with his cremated remains lies in honor on a black-draped table at the center of the Capitol Rotunda, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post/Pool/AP

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed to fallen Capitol Officer Brian Sicknick's family that she will "never forget his sacrifice" and the sacrifice of others who worked to protect the Capitol during the riot on January 6.

"With your permission, may we be worthy to carry Brian in our hearts. We will never forget," Pelosi said during her remarks. "Each day when members enter the Capitol, this temple of democracy, we will remember his sacrifice and others that day who fought so hard to protect the Capitol and the congress."

"We must be vigilant as what President Lincoln referred to as the harsh artillery of time. We will never forget," she added.

Pelosi said that she heard from his family about how Sicknick was a "distinguished leader," adding, "we know from his service on the Capitol police force how patriotic he was."

She also mentioned how he served the country in other areas, including in the New Jersey Air National Guard.

"We gather today united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of officer Brian Sicknick," Pelosi said.

Hear Speaker Pelosi's full remarks:

11:20 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Democrat and GOP congressional leaders pay their respects to fallen Capitol Police Officer Sicknick

From CNN's Caroline Kelly and Jason Hoffman

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, as an urn with his cremated remains lies in honor on a black-draped table at the center of the Capitol Rotunda, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a ceremony memorializing U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, as an urn with his cremated remains lies in honor on a black-draped table at the center of the Capitol Rotunda, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Washington. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post/Pool/AP

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy just paid their respects to fallen US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.

A congressional tribute was held for the officer inside the Rotunda, where he is lying in honor. The officer died due to injuries suffered in the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol.

Sicknick's family released a statement on Saturday thanking "congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen American hero."

See lawmakers pay their respects:

11:00 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Fallen Capitol officer was "a peacekeeper, not only in duty, but in spirit," Schumer says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attends a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda to honor Officer Brian Sicknick on February 3.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attends a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda to honor Officer Brian Sicknick on February 3. Demetrius Freeman/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer honored Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed in the riot at the US Capitol on January 6, saying he was "a peacekeeper, not only in duty, but in spirit."

"He was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time on a day when peace was shattered," Schumer said.

The Senate Majority Leader went on to describe Sicknick and his 12-year service with the US Capitol Police.

"Talk to his colleagues and they will tell you that Brian was a kind and humble man with profound inner strength, the quiet rock of his unit," Schumer said.  They will tell you that Brian was dependable, never missed a radio call."

Schumer said that many people continue to recover from injuries "seen and unseen" from the Capitol riot, and mentioned that mental health counseling is available for officers and staff.

"That Brian and his family were made to pay such a high price for his devoted service in the capitol was a senseless tragedy, one that we are still grappling with," he said. "It has left deep scars here in this building among his friends and his colleagues."

"Blessed are the peacekeepers like Brian. Let us be peacekeepers now in his memory," he added.

Hear Sen. Schumer's full remarks:

11:23 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Fallen Officer Sicknick is being honored at the Capitol right now. Here's a look back at his career. 

From CNN's Ralph Ellis

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds a portrait of late Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick as he lies in honor during a ceremony as people pay their respects in the Rotunda of the US Capitol building on February 3, 2021, in Washington, DC. 
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds a portrait of late Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick as he lies in honor during a ceremony as people pay their respects in the Rotunda of the US Capitol building on February 3, 2021, in Washington, DC.  Carlos Barria/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

A congressional tribute for fallen US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick is being held in the building's famous Rotunda.

The officer died due to injuries suffered in the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol.

Sicknick joined the USCP in July 2008, and most recently served in the Department's First Responder's Unit. Sicknick was originally from South River, New Jersey, and the youngest of three sons, according to a statement issued by his brother, Ken Sicknick, on behalf of his family.

Sicknick's family was "very proud" of his service to his country, Ken Sicknick said.

"Brian is a hero, and that is what we would like people to remember," he said.

Sicknick "wanted to be a police officer his entire life" and joined the New Jersey National Guard in his pursuit of that goal, Ken Sicknick said.

According to a statement from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's office, Sicknick was a staff sergeant for the New Jersey National Guard.

He served as a fire team member and a leader of the 108th Security Force Squadron, 108th Wing, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Murphy's statement said.

Sicknick's service included two deployments — one as part of Operation Southern Watch and another as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Murphy said.

"Officer Sicknick gave his life protecting the United States Capitol, and by extension, our very democracy, from violent insurrection," Murphy said.

10:47 a.m. ET, February 3, 2021

Republicans plan to force tough votes for Democrats as they pave way for reconciliation

From CNN's Clare Foran

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters at the Capitol on February 2.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters at the Capitol on February 2. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Democrats’ move to pass a budget resolution – clearing a path for reconciliation – if a bipartisan deal is not reached on Covid relief.

Reconciliation is a procedural shortcut that allows Democrats to pass parts of the plan without any GOP votes.

The Minority Leader previewed some of the tough votes Senate Republicans plan to force on Democrats as part of that process. 

“Senate Republicans will be ready and waiting with a host of amendments to improve the rushed procedural step that’s being jammed through. We’ll be getting senators on the record about whether taxpayers should fund checks for illegal immigrants, whether Democrats should raise taxes on small businesses in the midst of this historic crisis and whether generous federal funding should pour into school districts where the unions refuse to let schools open – and this is just a small taste,” he said.

“Yesterday, less than a day after several Senate Republicans spent literally two hours meeting with President Biden, Senate Democrats plowed ahead with a party line vote to set the table for a partisan jam,” McConnell said. “The rushed budget process that will play out this week is exactly the wrong path toward making law,” he added.