Jim Justice to delay Senate swearing-in to finish governor’s term – Washington Examiner
Jim Justice, teh governor of West Virginia and newly elected senator, has decided to postpone his swearing-in to the Senate by ten days to complete his term as governor. Justice will take over the Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Shelley Moore Capito onc his gubernatorial duties conclude. This decision allows him to fulfill his obligations as governor before transitioning to his new role in the Senate.
Jim Justice to delay Senate swearing-in to finish governor’s term
Sen.-elect Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) will hold off on being seated in the Senate by 10 days until the end of his second term as governor concludes.
Justice, who will replace retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV), will delay his swearing-in from the start of the new Congress on Jan. 3 until Jan. 13, when Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey, a Republican and West Virginia attorney general, takes office.
“My whole thinking behind all this is the continuity of government is essential during transitions,” Justice announced Thursday during a press conference. “Between Jan. 3 and when President Trump takes office, there’ll be some things [that] happen, but there won’t be anything happening, really, until when President Trump takes office.”
President-elect Donald Trump will take office on Jan. 20. Justice, a longtime ally of the incoming president, said he’s in “constant contact” with Trump on confirming his nominees and supporting his broader agenda.
“I don’t think that there’s anything [in the Senate] that’s going to rise to the to the level of what could happen here,” Justice said from West Virginia, citing the desire to avoid temporary replacements until Morrisey is sworn in. “I don’t think that West Virginia needs to have four governors in 10 days.”
Justice said he also offered advanced notice of his plans to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and incoming Senate GOP Leader John Thune (R-SD).
Capito said in a statement she “very much respect[s]” Justice’s decision.
Republicans will have a 53-47 Senate majority when the new Congress convenes. While Justice’s delay will occur during what is most often a hectic time for new lawmakers, his temporary absence is unlikely to affect any Senate business.
The Senate is unlikely to take any major votes in the handful of working days before Justice is seated, and the upper chamber will be unable to confirm any of Trump’s nominees until he takes office later that month.
Justice is a reliable supporter of Trump’s picks. He may miss portions of confirmation hearings that are expected to get underway in the first days of the 119th Congress, but he is not seated on committees that will have high-profile nominees with contentious made-for-TV hearings.
CAPITOL’S NEW CROP: THE FRESH FACES OF THE HOUSE IN THE 119TH CONGRESS
Justice has been appointed to four committees: Energy and Natural Resources; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and Aging.
“President Trump knows, without any question, I’m his biggest ally,” Justice said. “That’s all there is to it.”
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...