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WASHINGTON President Trumps impeachment trial is likely to start after Joe Bidens inauguration, and the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, is telling senators their decision on whether to convict the outgoing president over the Capitol riot will be a vote of conscience.

The timing for the trial, the first of a president no longer in office, has not yet been set. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made it clear Friday that Democrats intend to move swiftly on Bidens $1.9 trillion COVID aid and economic recovery package to speed up vaccinations and send Americans relief. Biden is set to take the oath of office Wednesday.

Pelosi called the recovery package a matter of complete urgency.

The uncertainty of the scheduling, despite the Houses swift impeachment of Trump just a week after the deadly Jan. 6 siege, reflects the fact that Democrats do not want the Senate trial to dominate the opening days of the Biden administration.

With security forces on alert over the threat of more potential violence heading into the inauguration, the Senate is also moving quickly to prepare for confirming Bidens nominee for national intelligence director, Avril Haines. A committee hearing is set for the day before the inauguration, signaling a confirmation vote could come swiftly once the new president is in office.

Many Democrats have pushed for an immediate impeachment trial to hold Trump accountable and prevent him from holding future office, and the proceedings could still begin by Inauguration Day. But others have urged a slower pace as the Senate considers Bidens Cabinet nominees and the newly Democratic-led Congress considers priorities like the coronavirus plan.

Bidens incoming White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said Friday the Senate can do both.

The Senate can do its constitutional duty while continuing to conduct the business of the people, she said.

Psaki noted that during Trumps first impeachment trial last year, the Senate continued to hold hearings each day. There is some precedent, she said.

Trump is the only president to be twice impeached, and the first to be prosecuted as he leaves the White House, an ever-more-extraordinary end to the defeated presidents tenure. He was first impeached by the House in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine, but the Senate voted in 2020 to acquit.

When his second trial does begin, House impeachment managers say they will be making the case that Trumps incendiary rhetoric hours before the bloody attack on the Capitol was not isolated, but rather part of an escalating campaign to overturn the November election. It culminated, they will argue, in the Republican presidents rally cry to fight like hell as Congress was tallying the Electoral College votes to confirm hed lost to Biden.

For Republican senators, the trial will be a perhaps final test of their loyalty to the defeated president and his legions of supporters in their states back home. It will force a further re-evaluation of their relationship with Trump, who lost not only the White House but majority control of the Senate, as they recall their own experiences sheltering at the Capitol as a pro-Trump mob ransacked the building.

These men werent drunks who got rowdy they were terrorists attacking this countrys constitutionally-mandated transfer of power, said Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., in a statement Friday.

They failed, but they came dangerously close to starting a bloody constitutional crisis. They must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

McConnell, who has spent the past days talking to senators and donors, is telling them the decision on whether or not to convict Trump is theirs alone. His stance, first reported by Business Insider, means the GOP leadership team will not work to hold senators in line one way or the other.

Last weeks assault angered lawmakers, stunned the nation and flashed unsettling imagery around the globe, the most serious breach of the Capitol since the War of 1812, and the worst by home-grown intruders.

Pelosi told reporters on Friday that the nine House impeachment managers, who act as the prosecutors for the House, are working on taking the case to trial.

The only path to any reunification of this broken and divided country is by shining a light on the truth, said Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., who will serve as an impeachment manager.

Trump was impeached Wednesday by the House on the single charge, incitement of insurrection, in lightning-quick proceedings. Ten Republicans joined all Democrats in the 232-197 vote, the most bipartisan modern presidential impeachment.

Its unclear who will make up the legal team representing the outgoing president at the trial. Democrats are tapping lawyer Barry Berke among others who worked on Trumps first impeachment.

McConnell is open to considering impeachment, having told associates he is done with Trump, but he has not signaled how he would vote. McConnell continues to hold great sway in his party, even though convening the trial next week could be among his last acts as majority leader as Democrats prepare to take control of the Senate with the seating of two new Democratic senators from Georgia.

No president has ever been convicted in the Senate, and it would take a two-thirds vote against Trump, an extremely high hurdle. But conviction is not out of the realm of possibility, especially as corporations and wealthy political donors distance themselves from his brand of politics and the Republicans who stood by his attempt to overturn the election.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Thursday, Such unlawful actions cannot go without consequence. She said in a statement that the House responded appropriately with impeachment and she will consider the trial arguments.

At least four Republican senators have publicly expressed concerns about Trumps actions, but others have signaled their preference to move on. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., issued a statement saying he opposes impeachment against a president who has left office. Trump ally Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is building support for creating a commission to investigate the siege as an alternative to conviction.

The riot delayed the tally of Electoral College votes, the last step in finalizing Bidens victory, as lawmakers fled for shelter and police, guns drawn, barricaded the doors to the House chamber.

A Capitol Police officer died from injuries suffered in the attack, and police shot and killed a woman. Three other people died in what authorities said were medical emergencies.

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With Trump trial pending, Democrats to move swiftly on virus aid package - pressherald.com

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Nowhere else in Pennsylvania saw more Democratic voters switch their party allegiances to Republican than in Westmoreland County during the first week of January.

From Jan. 4 through Jan. 11, there were 189 registered Democrats who became members of the GOP, according to figures from the Pennsylvania Department of State. That continues a two-decade change in the countys political identity, but it also is in direct opposition to what occurred throughout the state last week that saw more Republicans relinquish their party registration to the left.

Westmoreland saw 48 Republicans switch their party allegiances to Democrat during the same week.

Meanwhile, party registration changes throughout Pennsylvania favored Democrats during the same seven-day news cycle dominated by political upheaval in Washington, D.C., in which nearly 150 Republican members of Congress objected to the states election results and thousands of supporters for President Trump violently stormed the U.S. Capitol. Five people died.

Its weird, but maybe not so weird given the trends weve had over the last number of years, said former county Democratic Committee vice chairman Paul Adams.

The associate professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg said the number of party switches filed last week was likely a combination of the ongoing demographic trends in the county along with what he called an increased level of political tribalism sparked by Trump.

Long the minority party in the county, Republicans slowly saw their ranks grow over the past two decades. In 2019, the GOP overtook Democrats in the number of registered voters. According to state statistics, since 2008 more than 23,000 Democrats switched their registrations to the GOP. During that same time period, nearly 6,300 registered Republicans signed up with the Democrats.

County Republican Committee Chairman Bill Bretz said there was no organized effort last week seeking Democrats to convert to the GOP.

Im sure there were a number of people who wanted to change before the election but didnt have time. And Im sure there were a number of people who were turned off by the rhetoric last week in Washington, Bretz said.

Throughout Pennsylvania, Democrats saw fewer defections as more voters in counties surrounding Philadelphia bolted the from the GOP.

Terry Madonna, a senior fellow for political science at Millersville University, said its not a surprise party registration changes in Westmoreland bucked what occurred throughout the state last week.

He said its too early to know whether last weeks events in Washington will lead to any future voter registration shifts among county voters toward the Democrats. But, he suggested Trumps final days in office could impact the states voter rolls throughout 2021.

Last weeks party switches that saw more than 1,460 Republican voters register as Democrats could be the fallout of the political climate in Washington. Another nearly 1,200 Democrats switch to the GOP during the first full week of January.

I dont think you can rule out there are Republicans who are unhappy with Trump, and I dont dont think there is doubt this will cost Trump support. I think its directly related to Trump, Madonna said.

Rich Cholodofsky is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Rich at 724-830-6293, rcholodofsky@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Categories:Election | Local | Pennsylvania | Top Stories | Westmoreland

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Westmoreland County Democrats flock to the GOP in week of D.C. riot, bucking Pa. trend - TribLIVE

Hector Sanchez Barba, head of Mi Familia Vota, who has criticized Biden on immigration policy in the past, wouldnt share specific details discussed in the private meeting. Still, he said, Bidens plan is the most aggressive agenda that I have seen on immigration reform from day one not only the legislative package, but also executive orders.

In the meeting, Susan Rice, who will lead Bidens Domestic Policy Council, was adamant that the incoming administration wasnt about to introduce comprehensive immigration reform to simply let it sit on a shelf, said Jess Morales Rocketto, executive director of Care in Action.

We were totally floored by the immigration plan and the level of clarity, she said.

Domingo Garcia, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said Bidens team told attendees of the meeting the bill would give 11 million undocumented immigrants a pathway for citizenship, with an eight-year wait as a permanent resident. Biden also plans an executive order instituting a four-year extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The eight-year time frame, outlined by Harris during an interview with Univision this week, was a disappointment for Garcia who said he plans to push for a five-year wait instead. During the meeting, Biden also told advocates not to hold him to 100 days to pass immigration legislation because impeachment proceedings in the Senate could slow things down, said Garcia.

Some on the call, like Garcia, thought Biden was attempting to lower expectations. But others on the call, Morales Rocketto said, thought Biden was making a good-natured joke about pushing legislation through a jam-packed calendar during the impeachment process.

And Democrats, aware of the difficulties, are split on the best way to proceed. Democratic lawmakers expect Bidens proposal to establish a starting point. But big questions remain about what could be included in a coronavirus recovery package instead of an expansive immigration bill. Some lawmakers say they want Biden to get whatever he can get passed as soon as possible, even if it means adopting a more piecemeal approach. Others argue a true overhaul of the nations immigration system can only happen in one large package forcing Congress to meet the issue head-on.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), backed by more than a dozen labor and immigrant rights groups, said he is planning to introduce legislation allowing undocumented essential workers to apply for permanent resident status. Under the bill, those workers would be eligible to apply for citizenship in five years. In a press call on Friday, incoming Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said undocumented immigrants on the frontlines "deserve not just Covid protections and labor protections but the security of a pathway to citizenship."

I hope the Congress and our nation will recognize that these immigrants stepped up when the United States needed the most and put themselves in danger every day by serving as essential workers during this deadly pandemic, Castro said in an interview.

Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said a piecemeal approach is not an option. The administration has a very limited window of opportunity before House members begin running for reelection, she said. Every day that passes is a day that the window shuts just an inch more...Weve got to get it done in one fell swoop.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) agreed. Taking a step-by-step approach, such as attaching legal status for select groups to must-pass bills poses a great risk one that would leave some undocumented immigrants uncovered.

Still, soon-to-be Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin acknowledged the dicey road ahead with a tied Senate and slim majority in the House. I am realistic. I have been in the middle of this battle for two decades, said Durbin, adding that he has to take Bidens immigration goals and translate them into a 50-50 Senate and a 50-50 Senate Judiciary committee.

I'm not ruling out a larger bill, but I want to take it a step at a time, said Durbin (D-Ill.), who along with Menendez, has started conversations with his GOP colleagues. I don't want to overplay my hand. I want to be mindful that bipartisan support is essential to victory in the Senate.

Key Democratic lawmakers and congressional staff have been in constant communication with Bidens transition team and policy writers about the immigration plan, said Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. We're going to have to be flexible in our strategic approach and with the ultimate objective of getting legislation signed into law.

Castros coming bill establishes a broad definition for essential workers that could cover some 5 million undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status recipients, according to an outline first shared with POLITICO. And it could be passed as a standalone bill, or as part of coronavirus relief or an immigration package, Castro said.

The measure will define essential workers as any worker who has performed any service or labor during the pandemic including in sanitation, health care, retail and construction, and any worker deemed essential by state or local entities. It would also provide a pathway for the family members whove had to stand in for any essential worker who died due to Covid-19 and promotes a pathway for relatives to promote family unity.

Bidens proposal is expected to provide an avenue for some essential undocumented workers but whether it goes as far as Castros proposal is uncertain.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) said she supports including status protections in a coronavirus relief bill for agriculture and meatpacking workers who are undocumented. Democratic lawmakers and advocates said based on conversations with Bidens team as well as Bidens comments -- they are confident Biden will take a different approach to immigration than President Barack Obama. The immigration policy advisers Bidens added to his team from advocacy groups like Americas Voice and The Immigration Hub are a positive sign, they said.

Were all ready to work and take our marching orders, said Garcia.

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Democrats ready immigration push for Bidens early days - POLITICO

In taking the Senate majority, Democrats are newly empowered to undo Trump-era policies through a seldom-used tool that allows Congress to reverse federal rules, NBC News reports.

But the tool, known as the Congressional Review Act, has limits: It applies only to recently finalized rules, and when Congress uses it to reverse a rule, it places new restrictions on federal agencies ability to issue similar rules going forward, raising questions about how broadly Democrats will use it to take Trump policies off the books.

Usually, its only possible to reverse federal rules with a court decision or the lengthy rule-making process a formidable undertaking that can take years. Under the 1996 Congressional Review Act, however, Congress can quickly overturn a rule through a fast-track vote of disapproval and a simple majority in the House and the Senate lower than the 60-vote threshold needed to pass most legislation in the Senate.

The day's top national and international news.

Its the quickest way for rules to get off the books, said Richard Revesz, a law professor at New York University and a regulatory expert. They can use it to clear the underbrush.

Read the full story on NBCNews.com

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The Democrats Could Deploy a Rarely Used Act to Reverse Trump's Midnight Rule-Making' - NBC4 Washington

Democrats have argued for more generous pandemic relief, more pressure on drugmakers to lower prices and more attention to systemic racism in health care. On Jan. 20, with control of the Senate and the House of Representatives, theyll have the power to choose which health care proposals get a vote in Congress.

The victories of the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Georgia last week gave Democrats two more Senate seats and the upper hand in the Senates now 50-50 split. After Vice President-elect Kamala Harris takes the oath of office, she will serve as the tiebreaker as needed in effect, Democrats 51st vote.

But that vote count is too small to eliminate the filibuster, meaning Democrats will not have enough votes to pass many of their plans without Republicans. That will likely doom many Democratic health care proposals, like offering Americans a government-sponsored public insurance option, and complicate efforts to pass further pandemic relief.

It remains to be seen how willing lawmakers are to compromise with one another in the aftermath of a pro-Trump mobs breach of the Capitol on Wednesday. Thursday, Democrats demanded the presidents removal for inciting rioters who disrupted the certification of President-elect Joe Bidens victory, assaulted Capitol Police officers and damaged federal property. One demonstrator and a police officer were killed, and three demonstrators died of medical emergencies.

Democrats slim margins in the Senate and the House where they can afford to lose only four votes and still pass legislation will also give individual lawmakers more leverage, handing those who disagree with party leaders an incentive to push their own priorities in exchange for their votes. There will be little room for intraparty disagreements, and Democrats made it clear during the presidential primaries that they disagree about how to achieve their health care goals.

In less than two weeks, Democrats will lead the committees charged with marking up health care legislation and vetting Bidens health nominees.

The change will hand control of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who brokered the 2013 agreement with then-House Speaker Paul Ryan that ended a long government shutdown, among other bipartisan deals.

In 2019, Murray and the committees Republican chairman, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, introduced a wide-ranging package to lower health costs for consumers. Among its proposals was an initiative to lower prescription drug prices by eliminating loopholes that allow brand-name drugmakers to block competition.

In an interview before Democrats secured the Senate, Murray said her committee work will be focused on the problems that prevent all Americans from receiving equitable, affordable treatment in health care. Racial disparities, evidenced by disproportionate mortality rates among Black mothers and among communities of color suffering the worst impacts of the pandemic, will be a priority, she said.

Not everybody goes into the doctor and gets the same advice, feels the same comfort level and is believed, Murray said.

Murray said she will press for senators to consider how any piece of legislation will affect communities of color. It will be the question I ask about every step we take, she said.

On Wednesday, she called out Republicans for standing in the way of fighting the pandemic with policies that would directly help those struggling the most and would help us build back from this crisis stronger and fairer.

With a Biden-Harris Administration and a Senate Democratic majority, the challenges we face wont get any less tough but weve finally got the opportunity to face them head on and start taking action, Murray said in a statement. I cant wait to start getting things done.

The Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare, Medicaid and health-related tax policies, will be run by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). While the HELP committee will also hold a confirmation hearing for Bidens nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, it is the Finance Committee that will vote to advance his confirmation.

Senate Republicans signaled they would delay considering Becerras nomination before Biden officially announced his name last month. Calling him unqualified due to his lack of a health care background, they questioned his support for a single-payer health care system and opposed his efforts to preserve abortion rights. As Californias attorney general, Becerra led efforts to fight lawsuits brought by Republican state officials against the Affordable Care Act.

But Democrats slim edge in the Senate is expected to be enough to drown out Republicans objections to the nomination. Last month, praising Becerras commitment to responding to the pandemic, protecting health care coverage and addressing racial disparities, Wyden said he looked forward to Becerras hearing so he can get on the job and start helping people during this unprecedented crisis.

Also, after months of decrying the Trump administrations failures managing the pandemic, Democrats will control which relief bills get a vote.

Last months package did not include their demands for more funding for state and local governments, and House Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to increase stimulus checks to $2,000, from $600.

Democrats have been united in their calls for more assistance, though they have disagreed at times about how to push for it.

In the fall, with the election approaching and no deal in sight, moderate Democrats in tough races pushed for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to abandon negotiations for a $2.2 trillion relief package that Republicans called a nonstarter in favor of passing more modest but desperately needed relief.

Every member of the leadership team, Democrats and Republicans, have messed up. Everyone is accountable, Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) told Politico. Get something done. Get something done! He lost his bid for reelection.

More progressive voices like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have been a force for more generous aid, particularly larger stimulus checks.

Beyond the pandemic, top Democrats have mentioned drug pricing as another area ripe for action. But one of their most popular proposals, which would authorize the federal government to negotiate drug prices for those on Medicare, is unlikely to attract the Republican votes it would need. When House Democrats passed one such proposal in 2019, Senate Republicans vowed it would never pass.

Members of Democrats more progressive wing, for their part, argued the proposal may not go far enough.

After years of Republican efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act, though, it looks likely that efforts to stabilize the law could gain more traction under a Democratic-controlled Congress. The House passed legislation last summer aimed at increasing coverage and affordability, including by capping insurance costs at no more than 8.5% of income and expanding subsidies.

Lawmakers like Murray and Wyden have been quick to point out that the pandemics devastating consequences lost jobs and lost insurance coverage, to name just a couple have only underscored the need to strengthen the health care system.

Emmarie Huetteman: ehuetteman@kff.org,@emmarieDC

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Even With Senate Control, Democrats Will Need Buy-In From GOP on Key Health Priorities - Kaiser Health News