US Congress opens new session as virus, Biden's win dominate

Congress convened on Sunday for start of a new session, swearing in lawmakers during a tumultuous period as a growing number of Republicans work to overturn Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump and coronavirus surges.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi was reelected as House speaker by her party, which retains majority in House but with slimmest margin in 20 years after a November election wipeout.

Opening Senate could be among Mitch McConnell's final acts as majority leer. Republican control is in question until Tuesday's runoff elections for two Senate seats in Georgia.

outcome will determine which party holds chamber.

House and Senate were required to convene Sunday, by law, and imposed strict COVID protocols for what's typically a celebratory day. Elbow bumps replaced handshakes as senators took oath of office. Fewer family members than usual joined lawmakers at Capitol. A special enclosed seating section was designed for lawmakers in COVID quarantine.

"To say new Congress convenes at a challenging time would be an understatement," McConnell said as chamber opened.

Still, McConnell said with start of a new year re are reasons for optimism, "let's make American people proud." Pelosi said top priority is defeating coronvirus. And "defeat it we will," she said to applause.

It's often said that divided government can be a time for legislative compromises, but lawmakers are charging into 117th Congress with nation more torn than ever, disputing even basic facts including that Biden won presidential election.

Fraud did not spoil 2020 presidential election, a fact confirmed by election officials across country.

Before stepping down last month, Attorney General William Barr, a Republican appointed by Trump, said re was no evidence of fraud that affected election's outcome. Arizona's and Georgia's Republican governors, whose states were crucial to Biden's victory, have also stated that ir election results were accurate.

Neverless, a dozen Republicans bound for new Senate, led by Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, and even more in House have pledged to become a resistance force to Biden's White House, starting with efforts to subvert will of American voters.

se GOP lawmakers plan to object to election results when Congress meets on Wednesday to tally his 306-232 Electoral College victory over Trump.

Vice President Mike Pence, who as president of Senate, presides over session and declares winner, is facing growing pressure from Trump's allies over that ceremonial role.

Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, said in a statement Saturday that Pence "welcomes efforts of members of House and Senate to use authority y have under law to raise objections." Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing ahe, eager to partner with Biden on shared priorities, starting with efforts to stem pandemic and economic crisis. y plan to revisit failed effort to boost pandemic aid to USD 2,000 for most people.

"This has been a moment of great challenge in United States of America filled with trials and tribulations, but help is on way," Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., chairman of House Democratic caucus, said in an interview.

"America is a resilient nation, filled with resilient people," he said.

"We will continue to rise to occasion, emerge from this pandemic and continue to march toward our more perfect union." Among House Republican newcomers are Trump-aligned Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has given nod to conspiracy Q-Anon ories, and gun rights vocate Lauren Boebert of Coloro, who circulated a letter of support to retain right of lawmakers to carry firearms in Capitol.

Greene was among a group of House Republicans led by Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama who visited with Trump at White House during holiday season about ir effort to undo election.

"January 6 challenge is on," Taylor Greene said in a tweet pinned to top of her social media account. Boebert also tweeted support for those challenging Biden's victory.

House Republicans boosted ir ranks in November election, electing a handful of women and minorities, more than ever. Some of new GOP lawmakers are being called "Freedom Force," and a counter to "squ" - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and or liberal Democratic women who swept to office in last session.

In a statement Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., minority leer, said new Republican members "are a strong representation of who America is and where we come from." Progressive Democrats bolstered ir ranks with newcomers aligned with more liberal priorities.

Capitol itself is a changed place under coronavirus restrictions. Lawmakers are arriving in Washington from all parts of country potentially exposed to virus during ir travel.

Several lawmakers have been sickened by virus and some will be absent Sunday. Also, a memorial was held Saturday for newly elected Republican lawmaker Luke Letlow, 41, of Louisiana, who died of complications from COVID-19 days before swearing in.