The most memorable moments of the Senate of 2024

From a criminal conviction and the new management for a vice-presidential candidate and party defections, “the world’s largest deliberative body” has been at the forefront of extraordinary political developments this year.

Here are some of the biggest Senate moments of 2024.

Menendez convicted

Then-Sen. Bob Menendez was found guilty in July by a Manhattan grand jury in a years-long scheme of bribery and public corruption.

The New Jersey Democrat was convicted of all 16 federal headsincluding extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery and conspiracy. He was the seventh sitting senator to be convicted of a federal crime, but the first to be accused of acting as a foreign agent.

Menendez, a third-term senator who chaired the House Foreign Relations Committee, accepted lavish gifts such as cash, a luxury car and 13 gold bars in exchange for helping steer Egypt, creating a halal meat monopoly and obstructing criminal investigations.

Menendez maintained his innocence to the end and waited to resign until more than a month after his conviction, allowing him to continue receiving his $174,000 salary. His sentencing date was adjourned until January 29.

Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) is his successor.

McConnell steps down as leader

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the longest-serving Senate leader, announced his decision in February to resign from management in the new Congress.

The 82-year-old has suffered several health scares in recent years, including moments when he froze mid-sentence while speaking to reporters. His most recent health episode came in December, when he sprained his wrist and scratched his face tripping and falling in the Capitol.

McConnell’s exit as leader prompted the first changing of the guard for Senate Republicans since he took over in 2007. His deputy, Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), was tapped from among GOP senators to replace him when the new Republican majority will take place. on January 3rd.

McConnell has yet to reveal whether he will seek re-election in 2026.

The Republicans regain the majority

republicans overturned four places owned by Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The current 51-49 Democratic majority will become a 53-47 Republican majority.

The shift in power came with the removal of the remaining red-state Democrats from the chamber. Manchin, an independent, still caucuses with Democrats.

Senate Democrats stopped the bleeding by holding on to battleground states in Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin, despite Vice President Kamala Harris losing all four states.

Manchin ditches Democrats

Manchin left the Democratic Party in May, to register without party affiliation, raising the specter of a possible third-party candidacy for other political positions. Ultimately, he declined to run for another office and will retire from Congress when the new session opens on January 3.

“Today, our national politics is fractured and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground,” Manchin said at the time. “To stay true to myself and remain committed to putting country before party, I have decided to register as an independent, with no party affiliation, and continue to fight for the sensible majority of America.”

Despite the defection, Manchin continued to caucus with Democrats, allowing them to maintain their one-seat majority.

Vance heads to the Naval Observatory

Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) has been named President-elect Donald Trump’s running mate running partner in July. The first-term senator defeated several other contenders, including Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Vance, 39, served in the Marines and was the youngest vice presidential nominee since President Dwight Eisenhower picked Richard Nixon in 1952.

His midterm promotion to vice president means Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) will pick a replacement once Vance steps down from his seat in January.

Fetterman is solidifying as the Democratic wild card

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) once boasted celebrity status among Democrats. But this is no longer the case after two years in a left-leaning Congress.

The staunch and unapologetic defender of Israel has created a lane of his own in the Democratic Party as a wild card. The populist has shifted to the right since taking office and has occasionally sided with Republicans on issues such as border security, Trump’s nominees, Trump’s criminal conviction for hush money in New York, plans to create a Department for Government Efficiency and pardoning the president Joe Biden. his son Hunter.

FETTERMAN HUGS SECOND TRUMP TERM AS BIDEN LEAVES OFFICE

Fetterman even joined Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.

“I believe it is appropriate and the responsibility of a US Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump’s nominees,” Fetterman posted after meeting with some of Trump’s cabinet nominees. “My votes will come from an open mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. That’s not controversial, that’s my business.”