Thread by @CraigCaplan

Senate Chaplain Barry Black in the opening Senate prayer after #Inauguration2021: "Mighty God, let the healing begin. Bless our incoming Senators. Give wisdom and courage to President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris."

https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1352006140947804168

Vice President Kamala Harris is now presiding over the Senate. Applause from all in the Senate chamber for her follows.

.@VP Harris while presiding laughs after reading her resignation from the Senate.

Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia, and Alex Padilla of California are all sworn into the Senate by Vice President Harris, giving Democrats majority control in a 50-50 Senate.

VP Harris recognizes Senator Schumer as Majority Leader for the first time.

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is elected and sworn in as the new Senate President Pro Tempore. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is now President Pro Tempore Emeritus.

Schumer begins his first Senate floor speech as Majority Leader: "I need to catch my breath. So much is happening."

Schumer: "President Biden, we heard you loud and clear. We have a lengthy agenda, and we need to get it done together."

Schumer: "As President Biden said in his inaugural address, 'don't tell me things can't change'. With the swearing in of these three Senators, the Senate will turn to Democratic control for which I deeply thank my colleagues."

Schumer: "It will turn to Democratic control under the first New York-born majority leader in American history. A kid from Brooklyn, the son of an exterminator and a housewife, a descendant of victims of the Holocaust."

Schumer: "That I should be the leader of this new Senate majority is an awesome responsibility...Today, I feel the full weight of that responsibility, a sense of reverence, of awe at the trust placed in me. I intend to honor that trust with all of my energy and with joy."

Schumer: "As the majority changes in the Senate, the Senate will do business differently...This Senate will legislate. It will be active, responsive, energetic and bold."

Schumer: "And to my Republican colleagues, when and where we can, the Democratic majority will strive to make this important work bipartisan, because the Senate works best when we work together."

McConnell begins his first Senate floor remarks now as Minority Leader: "Today before the American people and the world,the peaceful transfer of power that has helped define our nation for more than 230 yrs was carried out. We sworn in the 46th President and 49th Vice President."

McConnell: "President Biden and Vice President Harris are both alumni of the U.S. Senate. They are well known to us in this chamber. They begin their terms with both challenges and opportunities before them, and with the prayers of our whole nation at their backs."

McConnell: "President Biden made unity the major theme of his inaugural address..I congratulate my friend from Delaware and look forward to working with our new President wherever possible."

McConnell: “Our country deserves for both sides, both parties, to find common ground for the common good everywhere that we can and disagree respectfully where we must."

McConnell on historic swearing-in of Kamala Harris as first woman VP:“This groundbreaking achievement elicits national pride that transcends politics.All citizens can applaud the fact that this new three-word phrase – Madam Vice President – is now a part of our American lexicon."

Durbin from Senate floor now as Majority Whip: "Today in one of his first official acts, President Joseph Biden signed an executive order to restore DACA. I am eternally grateful for President Biden, courage and commitment in keeping his word."

Cotton (R-AR) on Senate voting tonight on DNI nominee Avril Haines:"I was the last person to object to holding that vote. I no longer object..I'm ready to vote on this nomination and I believe the rest of the Senate is as well." He got his follow-up ?s answered after the hearing.

Rubio (R-FL) opposing Senate impeachment trial against former President Trump: "Most Americans will never understand why the first thing we're going to do here, potentially, is an impeachment trial of a President that isn't even in office anymore."