WASHINGTON, D.C. — It is orientation week in Washington for newly elected members of Congress.
In January, Democrats will hold sizable House majorities in the 120th Congress. Though the new members won’t be officially sworn in until the next Congress, they’re getting the lay of the land this week on Capitol Hill.
Think of it as a crash course in legislative rules, procedure, ethics guidelines and history. Orientation also covers more practical operations, like setting up a congressional office, hiring staff and, of course, physically navigating Capitol Hill itself.
It’s a jam-packed schedule for the newly elected members. On Monday several of them said they’re excited to hit the ground running.
“No distractions, no like little issues here or there, let’s get to work,” said Congresswoman-elect Cait Conley, D-N.Y.
“People are expecting affordability and accountability. And I think we’ve got to do some of both,” said Congressman-elect Brad Lander, D-N.Y.
Some House and Senate races from last Tuesday are still too close to call. The latest numbers for the House show Democrats with 252 seats and Republicans with 164. Democrats flipped 43 seats, with a net gain of 41.
“The American people clearly and decisively rejected MAGA extremism on Tuesday,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.
The wider margins will mean fewer barriers to passing legislative priorities and choosing party leaders in the House. Leader Jeffries, who could soon make history as the first Black speaker of the U.S. House, said voters issued a mandate in the midterms.
“… voted for dramatic change. And that’s exactly what House Democrats are going to work hard to deliver,” Jeffries said.
So far in the Senate, Democrats are up 54 seats to Republicans’ 44. Democrats flipped seven seats Tuesday, and that number could rise, with Alaska and Mississippi yet to be called.
There is a lot of anticipation among Democrats as they look forward to full control in January. Throughout the week, we expect to learn more about policy proposals, legislative goals and how Republicans plan to respond.
