General Assembly Session to Convene Tuesday
STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly opens its 2021 session Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Due to the need for social distance necessitated by COVID-19, the Assembly will not be meeting at the State House, which remains closed to the public.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence. In accordance with the state constitution, the senior representative from Newport, Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown), will preside until the election of a new speaker, which is scheduled after Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea administers the oath of office to the members. Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty will administer the oath to the elected speaker. In November, the House Democratic Caucus endorsed Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) for speaker. Gov. Gina M. Raimondo is also scheduled to offer remarks.
The Senate is scheduled to convene at 4 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall at Rhode Island College in Providence. Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) will preside over its organization, which will include the formal election of president as well as a new president pro tempore and a new deputy president pro tempore. The Senate Democratic Caucus has endorsed President Dominick J. Ruggerio for another term as president. Secretary of State Gorbea will administer the oath of office to members and Governor Raimondo is scheduled to offer remarks to the Senate.
Due to the pandemic, the sessions will not be open to the public. They will be broadcast live by Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox and Full Channel on Channel 15, in high definition on Cox Channel 1013, and on Channel 34 by Verizon and subscribers. The sessions will also be live streamed at www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV.
Space is extremely limited at both venues. Any member of the media who wishes to cover the sessions in person must make arrangements no later than Monday, Jan. 4, at 3 p.m. by contacting Larry Berman at (401) 222-1408 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the House, and Greg Paré at (401) 276-5558 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Senate.
President Trump is commuting George Santos' prison sentence. The disgraced former Republican congressman from New York pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud in August 2024. He was serving seven years in prison. In a Truth Social Post, Trump implied the sentence was too harsh, adding that Santos will be released immediately. 
