Ossoff, Warnock take first votes as senators, confirm Biden intelligence director

WASHINGTON — Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock walked into the U.S. Senate chamber together Wednesday evening, both wanting to double-check that they followed correct procedures in casting votes for the first time.

Ossoff had used a thumbs-up to mark his “yes” vote. Warnock had already signaled the same. Clerks confirmed that each vote had been counted.

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Both Georgia senators, sworn in just a couple of hours earlier, had taken their first official actions. The two Democrats’ votes helped confirm Avril Haines as director of national intelligence under President Joe Biden. Ossoff and Warnock were part of the 84-10 majority.

Earlier in the day, both men had attended Biden’s inauguration. Vice President Kamala Harris administered to them the oath of office, flipping both of Georgia’s Senate seats from red to blue and the balance of power in the Senate to Democratic control.

I got the money shot, y’all. Georgia’s senators. Day 1. @ossoff @ReverendWarnock pic.twitter.com/IoDB96th5V
— Tia Mitchell, AJC’s Washington Correspondent (@ajconwashington) January 20, 2021

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