State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

It called for the release of protesters and opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

ByLibby Cathey, Adia Robinson, Jack Arnholz, Meredith Deliso, Lauren King, Catherine Thorbecke, Michelle Stoddart, and Lauren Lantry
Last Updated: January 25, 2021, 10:37 AM EST

This is the fifth day of the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Top headlines:

Here is how events are unfolding. All times Eastern.
Jan 22, 2021, 12:14 PM EST

Biden, Harris mark anniversary of Roe v. Wade ruling

Biden and Harris said in a statement marking the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling that their administration “is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe.”

"In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care – including reproductive health care – regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status," their statement said.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Jan 22, 2021, 11:42 AM EST

Pelosi confirms impeachment article will be delivered to Senate by House managers on Monday

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., confirmed plans for the House impeachment managers to deliver the impeachment article to the Senate on Monday. 

Absent an agreement between Senate Democrats and Republicans on the contours of the trial, the delivery of the article would trigger a start to formal proceedings the following day. 

Pelosi, pushing back on GOP claims that the timeline doesn't provide former President Trump with enough time to prepare his defense, said in a statement that he "will have had the same amount of time to prepare for trial as our Managers."

“Exactly one week after the attack on the Capitol to undermine the integrity of our democracy, a bipartisan vote of the House of Representatives passed the article of impeachment, which is our solemn duty to deliver to the Senate,” Pelosi stated. 

-ABC News’ Benjamin Siegel

Jan 22, 2021, 11:11 AM EST

Senate confirms Lloyd Austin to serve as secretary of defense

By a vote of 93-2, the Senate confirmed Lloyd Austin as secretary of defense on Friday.

Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next secretary of defense on Jan. 19, 2021.
Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via REUTERS

He is the second Senate-confirmed Biden appointee and now becomes the first African American to lead the Department of Defense. 

-ABC News’ Allison Pecorin

Jan 22, 2021, 11:07 AM EST

Senate Finance Committee unanimously advances Yellen's nomination 

Janet Yellen, Biden’s pick for treasury secretary, had her nomination unanimously advanced by the Senate Finance Committee on Friday. 

Her nomination will now go to the full Senate floor for final confirmation. 

Yellen is the former chair of the Federal Reserve and, if confirmed by the Senate, would become the first woman to lead the Treasury.

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