Harris’ 1st task: Swear in Padilla

WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris will be inaugurated to her new job as vice president on Wednesday. One of her first acts will be swearing in the Californian replacing her in the Senate, Alex Padilla.

The Democrat resigned her Senate seat on Monday, and Padilla has resigned as the California secretary of state. But he has yet to be sworn in as senator.

The vice president conducts the swearingin of senators and serves as the president of the Senate.

After her noon inauguration Wednesday alongside Presidentelect Joe Biden, Harris will take over for Vice President Mike Pence in that role.

Harris is expected to swear in Padilla and two other Democrats, Georgia Sens.elect the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, shortly thereafter, an aide confirmed.

Once that is done, the Senate will be split 5050 between Democrats and Republicans, with Harris serving as the tiebreaking vote that gives majority power to Democrats.

One of the first tasks for the new senators will be serving as jurors in an impeachment trial of outgoing President Trump for allegedly inciting the mob that invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6, seeking to keep him in office past his term.

Gov. Gavin Newsom nominated Democratic Assembly Member Shirley Weber of San Diego to fill out Padilla’s term as secretary of state through 2022. Until the Legislature confirms her, Chief Deputy Secretary of State James Schwab is the acting secretary.