Republican Jim Justice said Thursday he will be delaying for 10 days his swearing in as West Virginia's next U.S. senator so he can complete his term as the state's governor.
Justice said he will not be sworn in on Jan. 3, the start of the 119th Congress, but instead on Jan. 13, the day Republican Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey, who was attorney general under Justice, takes his oath of office. Justice, a popular term-limited governor, easily won in November to take the seat vacated by Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., who decided not to seek reelection.
"My whole thinking behind all this is the continuity of government is essential during transitions," Justice said during a news conference, the Washington Examiner reported. "Between Jan. 3 and when President [-elect Donald] Trump takes office, there'll be some things [that] happen, but there won't be anything happening, really, until when President Trump takes office."
Trump will be inaugurated on Jan. 20. Justice, a longtime Trump ally, said he's in "constant contact" with the president-elect on confirming his Cabinet nominees and supporting his broader agenda.
The Senate is unlikely to take any major votes on legislation or confirm any Cabinet nominees in the 10 days before Justice is seated.
Justice said he told his plans to the state's senior U.S. senator, Republican Shelley Moore Capito; House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. Capito said in a statement she "very much respects" Justice's decision, the Examiner reported.
Justice has been appointed to four committees: Energy and Natural Resources; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and Aging, the Examiner reported.
"President Trump knows, without any question, I'm his biggest ally," Justice said. "That's all there is to it."