A split Congress was officially sworn in on Thursday afternoon, with Democrats taking control of the House and Republicans adding to their majority in the Senate.
Why it matters: The first item on the 116th Congress' agenda is to reopen the government, with Democrats in the House planning to pass legislation to do just that — though it likely won't get far in the Senate. Up next will be a slew of House investigations into President Trump and his administration. Follow along for the key moments of the new Congress' first day.
7 am: Rep. Nancy Pelosi says on NBC's "Today" that she does not think the Department of Justice guidance that states a sitting president cannot be indicted is "conclusive." With that response, she becomes the highest ranking official to suggest President Trump could be indicted while in office.
12 pm: The House meets for the swearing in ceremonies and to vote for the speakership. Vice President Mike Pence swears in newly elected and re-elected senators.
- Among Pelosi's guests as she retakes the gavel as speaker, per The Hill's Scott Wong: Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto; Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead and Caryl Hart; fashion consultant Tim Gunn; President Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers; Stephanie Schriock and Ellen Malcolm of EMILY’s List.
Vice President Mike Pence swears in a group of senators that includes Mitt Romney, Jacky Rosen, Bernie Sanders and Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/Map4m3GDMY
— Axios (@axios) January 3, 2019
12:40 pm: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries officially nominates Pelosi for speaker of the House.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries officially nominates Rep. Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House pic.twitter.com/UZBsDqtLiQ
— Axios (@axios) January 3, 2019
1:44 pm: Pelosi receives 220 votes and is elected speaker, passing the 216 vote threshold necessary to cement her widely expected victory.
2:27 pm: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) introduces Pelosi as the new speaker: "The country knows Nancy Pelosi as an experienced leader with three decades of service in Congress. A fighter for her causes. And a true trailblazer."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy officially passes the gavel to newly-elected speaker Nancy Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/CTjHccFWyE
— Axios (@axios) January 3, 2019
2:49 pm: Pelosi invites the children of Congress to join her as she takes the oath of office.
Nancy Pelosi invites the children of Congress to join her as she takes the oath of office. pic.twitter.com/HrVCJzEz6N
— Axios (@axios) January 3, 2019
