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New York State Senate organizes for 2025 session; Andrea Stewart‑Cousins sworn as temporary president
Summary
The New York State Senate opened its 2025 legislative session, adopting rules and affirming officers. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins was elected temporary president and sworn in; the chamber also approved several procedural resolutions and appointed officers by voice vote.
The New York State Senate convened to organize for the 2025 legislative session, electing Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins as temporary president and approving a slate of procedural resolutions and officer appointments by voice vote.
The action formally installed Andrea Stewart‑Cousins as temporary president of the Senate. Judge Rowan Wilson, chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, administered the oath of office. "This year, we have a vital legislative window to address our residents' real struggles and continue being a beacon of hope," Stewart‑Cousins said after taking the oath.
Why it matters: The chamber's organizational steps set the rules and officers that will govern floor proceedings and committee operations for the coming year. Adopting rules and confirming officers is a routine but necessary start to any legislative session because it establishes how business will be conducted and who will preside and manage daily operations.
What the Senate did
- The Senate adopted a resolution electing Andrea Stewart‑Cousins as temporary president of the Senate; the resolution was approved by voice vote. Judge Rowan Wilson administered the oath.
- The chamber adopted its rules for the 2025–2026 legislative term by voice vote.
- Officers and procedural positions approved by the Senate included the secretary of the Senate (Alejandra Noel Paulino was sworn in), the sergeant at arms (Benjamin M. Sturges), and the official stenographer (Katherine Kirkland). Each appointment was taken up by resolution and adopted by voice vote.
- The Senate appointed two small committees by resolution to notify the governor and the Assembly that the Senate is organized and ready to proceed with business.
Procedural details and next steps
The organizational measures were routine and decided largely without extended debate. Most measures were approved by voice vote; the transcript records the motions and the presiding officer announcing "the ayes have it" but does not include a recorded roll-call tally for any of the resolutions.
At the close of the session, the Senate moved to adjourn and scheduled its next meeting for Monday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m., intervening days being legislative days.
Officials and participants mentioned in the session included Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart‑Cousins (sworn as temporary president), Judge Rowan Wilson (who administered the oath), Alejandra Noel Paulino (sworn as secretary of the Senate), Benjamin M. Sturges (sergeant at arms), and Katherine Kirkland (official stenographer). Senator Mike Gineris (recorded in the proceedings as the member presenting resolutions) moved several of the procedural items on behalf of the majority conference.
The chamber also heard an invocation and opening remarks from a presiding officer and welcomed family members and returning members; those ceremonial remarks preceded the formal organizational business.
Adjournment and scheduling
The Senate adjourned after completing organizational business and will reconvene on Monday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.
