Skip to content

Impeachment trial timing hangs over 2020 Senate calendar

January schedule is filled with question marks

Both houses of Congress have now set tentative schedules for 2020. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Both houses of Congress have now set tentative schedules for 2020. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The Senate has released its calendar for 2020, but the year will begin with a giant question mark because of a possible impeachment trial.

The month of January is missing from the schedule entirely.

A copy of the calendar, obtained by CQ Roll Call, also includes a notation that the weeklong Presidents Day recess is “subject to Senate floor activity.”

The schedule for days in session for January and early February is predictably in flux because, absent an agreement, the Senate could convene six days a week for the duration of an impeachment trial against President Donald Trump.

“Unfortunately due to uncertainty on the floor schedule for start of the year, the Senate is unable to establish a schedule for January at this time. When we have clarity on a date to convene and what January will look like we will get that information out as soon as possible,” a senior Senate aide said in a statement.

Like the Democrat-led House, the Republican-controlled Senate will be on a state work period for the week of July 13, which is the week of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee.

The Senate is scheduled to depart for the Fourth of July holiday, being out of session on July 3, and not returning until after the Democratic convention.

August recess is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 9, running through Labor Day. Senators are expected to depart for election season by Oct. 9. There is a potential two-week lame-duck session after Election Day in November ahead of Thanksgiving, with lawmakers expected back after the holiday.

Aside from the possible impeachment trial, there are two other five-week work periods: one after the break for Easter and Passover, the other during the month of June.

Download a copy of the 2020 Congressional Calendar.

Recent Stories

Johnson: Budget blueprint not ready for prime time

Federal judge orders pause on USAID administrative leave

Trump gives DOGE new marching orders as Japan’s Ishiba tries a little flattery

Graham unveils budget blueprint ahead of markup next week

‘It’s a dumb time’ — Congressional Hits and Misses

US ordered not to release list of FBI agents tied to Jan. 6 cases