General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 'President Pelosi' Trends on Twitter After Donald Trump Suggests Delaying the Election [View all]disambiguation
(28 posts)1/3 of the senators would leave office, as you said - 21 republicans and 12 Democrats. That would leave 67 senators. Currently there are 53 republican senators, 45 Democratic senators and 2 independents who caucus with the Democrats. So, after January 3rd there will be 32 republican senators (assuming 2 that said they were retiring don't do it), 33 Democratic senators and 2 independents who caucus with the Democrats. As far as I know, there is no reason the senate can't meet between January 3rd and January 20th and elect new leaders. According to this site https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LameDuckSessions.htm, the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution (1933) provides that new Congresses convene on January 3 of odd-numbered years. After January 20th, Trump would no longer be president and the President pro tempore of the Senate would assume the office. At least that's what it looks like from what I read. I doubt that the 33 Democrats and the 2 Independents would elect Grassley as President pro tempore.