Live: Meet the New 113th Congress

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The 113th Congress gets underway today when new House members and new senators are sworn into office. Watch World News for Diane Sawyer’s interview with women senators – there are a record 20 on Capitol Hill now. Meantime, here’s a look at some of the things catching our eye on Capitol Hill today:

Boehner Speaks with the President, Tickles Little Girl

. @speakerboehner just spoke with President Obama who congratulated him on his re-election as Speaker of the House.

— Brendan Buck (@Brendan_Buck) January 3, 2013

.@speakerboehner is tickling Sean Duffy’s youngest daughter (who is rolling around on the floor of the Rayburn Room) live on CSPAN.

.@speakerboehner is tickling Sean Duffy’s youngest daughter (who is rolling around on the floor of the Rayburn Room) live on CSPAN.

.@speakerboehner is tickling Sean Duffy’s youngest daughter (who is rolling around on the floor of the Rayburn Room) live on CSPAN.

— John R Parkinson (@jparkABC) January 3, 2013

Obama Called House Leaders

ABC’s Reena Ninan reports that a senior White House official said President Obama called House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Thursday morning. The leaders told Obama the House had been assembled, a Speaker and Clerk had been elected and that the 113th Congress was ready to receive communication from him. President Obama thanked the two leaders, congratulated them and extended well wishes to all members of the new Congress, according to the official.

Update – An aide to Cantor says it was Cantor who called Obama today and not the other way around.

A Scare for John Boehner

Analysis from ABC’s David Wright:

Forgive me if we’ve already pointed this out in our coverage, but it seems there’s an interesting point to be made in the aftermath of the fiscal cliff debacle and today’s reelection of Boehner as speaker.

One big reason Boehner seems so impotent may have to do with the unintended consequences of previous reforms – specifically earmarks. Until very recently, the speaker would have been able to rally the necessary votes for a piece of legislation by doling out the pork. Now he has fewer bargaining chips because so many members have sworn off the earmarks. One of the unintended consequences of reform has been inaction. At least with the backroom deal, something got done. Not only has he lost his carrot, the stick is meaningless, too, given that so many Congressional districts are drawn as completely safe seats.

As the writer of this Slate piece argues, Congress is now full of idealists who stick to their guns come what may and nothing gets done. Tweets Full of New Representatives

With Joaquin at his Congressional office. twitter.com/JulianCastro/s… — Mayor Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 3, 2013

 

Enjoyed seeing my good friend @tulsigabbard before her swearing-in today as first Hindu American member of Congress twitter.com/ChrisLu44/stat… — Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44) January 3, 2013

 

We caught up with Congressman Paul Ryan on the way to the swearing in today.More updates to come! twitter.com/RobertPittenge… — Robert Pittenger (@RobertPittenger) January 3, 2013

 

With Congressman Chris Smith & @ezrafriedlander in the Capital, Washington DC. twitter.com/Pinnyringel/st… — Pinny Ringel (@Pinnyringel) January 3, 2013

 

Newly sworn in Congressman Hakeem Jeffries with Big Askon @rabbiafriedman twitter.com/Statf/status/2… — Statf (@Statf) January 3, 2013

  Boehner Bolsters Support of Defense of Marriage Act Ariane de Vogue reports: Despite poll numbers showing the majority of Americans now support gay marriage, House Speaker John Boehner sent a strong message today authorizing the continued use of taxpayer funds to defend a federal law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. In February 2011, the Obama administration announced it would no longer defend the law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in various court challenges across the country. Boehner subsequently announced that the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) would take over the defense of the law. BLAG is comprised of five members of the House leadership. The Republican majority tapped superstar lawyer Paul Clement to lead the effort. Today, House Republicans included DOMA language in the Opening Day Rules package authorizing the continued use of taxpayer funds. Read more from Ariane here. Senators’ Kids Steal the Show ABC’s Arlette Saenz reports: They may be getting sworn into the Senate today, but for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, their kids were the ones who stole the show. Read more from Arlette here.

Chris Murphy, sworn in as U.S. Senator for Connecticut twitter.com/SenateDems/sta… — Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) January 3, 2013

  Before Swearing in Boehner Reflects on ‘Old Truths’ ABC’s John Parkinson reports: After Rep. John A. Boehner was reelected to a second term as House Speaker, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi passed the speaker’s gavel to the 12-term Ohio congressman and told Boehner, “May God bless you.” Before taking the oath of office Boehner delivered remarks to the House chamber, calling the display of democracy “an interlude for reflection, a glimpse of old truths.” “To our new members and their families, welcome. You are likely feeling awestruck right about now. History runs through here, and now you are among a select few to share in this privilege,” Boehner told the 113th Congress. “For those who are returning, who have walked these aisles before, maybe it’s time we feel awestruck again.” Boehner reminded members that each member-elect takes the same oath of office, that “makes no mention of party, faction, or title” and “contains no reference to agendas or platforms – only to the Constitution.” Boehner concluded his address telling lawmakers “there is a time to every purpose under Heaven.” “For the 113th Congress, it is a time to rise. When the day is over, and the verdict is read, may it be said that we well and faithfully did our duty to ensure freedom will endure and prevail,” he said. “So help us God.” Rep. John Dingell, the dean of the House, then administered the Oath of Office to Boehner who stood atop the Speaker’s rostrum with his right hand raise, and his left hand resting on the Bible. Speaker Boehner then swore in the members-elect. “Congratulations!” Boehner said. “You’re now members of the 113th Congress.”

Only 220 votes for Boehner as Speaker. Enough to win, but narrowly. 426 voting — Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) January 3, 2013

  If Not Boehner Or Pelosi, Then Who?  Michael Falcone has this: John Boehner won re-election as House Speaker in a roll call vote of members of the House of Representatives. It turned out to be a close one as nine Republicans voted against the the speaker. The Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi, received the second highest number of votes. But several other current and former lawmakers and a couple big political names received votes too. Here’s a rundown: Receiving three votes: Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., House Majority Leader Receiving two votes: Former Rep. Allen West, the outspoken Florida conservative who was defeated for re-election in 2012 Receiving one vote a piece: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the Dean of the House of Representatives Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., at 32-years-old one of the youngest members of Congress Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., one of the few remaining Blue Dog Democrats David Walker, former  Comptroller General of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office Former Secretary of State Colin Powell HERE is John Parkinson’s report on how it was never really a question that Boehner would be reelected. A Record Number of Hispanics in Congress – Univision’s Emily DeRuy has this:

While most, 28, are Democratic, 10 are Republican. And a handful are among the most conservative members of Congress. While most Latinos cast Democratic ballots, two of the three Latino senators, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, are Republican, and all gained widespread support outside the Latino community. Cruz, who has garnered the support of the Tea Party, a subsection of the GOP that some Republicans have derided as too far removed from the mainstream, will join the Senate, along with returning Democrat Bob Menendez and Rubio. Raúl Labrador is a conservative Mormon representative from Idaho. Democrats will retain the Senate with a 55-45 lead, while Republicans will keep the House at 235-199, albeit with less of an advantage than they had in the last Congress. Scandal-plagued Republican Representative David Rivera (Florida) is out, replaced by Democrat Joe Garcia, and Texas Democrat Pete Gallego will fill Republican Francisco “Quico” Canseco’s seat. While Hill stalwarts such as Representative Luis Gutiérrez (D-Illinois) and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), the longest serving Hispanic member of Congress, will remain, a host of charismatic freshman will be sworn in as well. Democrat Joaquín Castro, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro’s twin brother, will represent Texas in the House, while four Latinos, three Democrats and one Republican, will begin representing California.

Her full report is HERE. What Happens to Oddball Former Members of Congress? - They keep a profile on Twitter. Here’s Rep. Thaddeus McCotter responding to a journalist’s tweet:

Nope.RT @thefix: Anyone else miss Thad McCotter? — Thaddeus McCotter (@ThadMcCotter) January 3, 2013

Thaddeus McCotter had a bad year last year. His presidential campaign lasted for just a hot second. He was embroiled in a scandal where staffers faked signatures to get him back on the ballot for his House seat. He resigned… it went on from there. More on that HERE. The lawmaker taking his old seat today owns a reindeer farm and has played Santa Claus. ABC Political Director Amy Walter, watching lawmakers and their families take the House floor, has this bit of perspective:

Swearing-in day is my 2nd favorite political day of the year. Love seeing all the kids & families. Reminds us that these are real people — amy walter (@amyewalter) January 3, 2013

And Sen. Mark Kirk, who just a few days more than a year ago suffered a debilitating stroke, rejoined colleagues today. He WALKED up the steps to the Senate chamber.

Just finished Capitol step climb, It is the honor of my life to represent the people of #IL. Thx for all the support! twitter.com/SenatorKirk/st… — Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) January 3, 2013

More on Kirk from Arlette Saenz.

And read about how Sen. Kirk fared on his first day here.

Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Women Dems Pose on the Steps of the Capitol

 In her trademark hot pink suit, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., could be seen hugging House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on the steps of the House this morning.

Both Congresswomen were there for a photo shoot with about 50 other women members of the House.

The large group took off their coats, despite the cold, and posed for about 20 minutes. After the last shot had been snapped, Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz emerged from the Capitol, running down the steps – but alas, too late to get in the picture.

Sinema has gotten some attention as the first openly elected bisexual member of Congress. She is also not a member of any organized religion, which is still a pretty rare thing.

ABC News

New Milestones for Non-Christians – From Sarah Parnass:

When new members of Congress take the oath of office Thursday, there will be new milestones set for non-Christians in Congress. Tulsi Gabbard will be the first Hindu congresswoman and Mazie Hirono will be the first Buddhist senator. Both are Democrats from Hawaii.

For a country whose founding principles include religious freedom, the American government has a history of being almost homogenous with respect to religion. For most federal representatives, the question isn’t whether or not you’re Christian but what Christian denomination you follow.

Half a century ago it was almost unthinkable for some that a Catholic could win the presidency. More of her report.

New North Carolina Rep Says No to Spending, Gun Control – From Sarah Parnass:

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., is a broad-shouldered man with a slight Southern twang and a sense of humor. On his first day as a Congressman, he joked his top priority was, “to show up on time.”

Rep. Hudson brought 20 family members to town for his reception on the Hill today, including his 95-year-old grandfather, Jeff Watson.

“He’s really my role model, hero, big influence in my life,” Hudson said. “He was on the city council in this little town in Eastern North Carolina called Roanoke Rapids for 30 years.”

Hudson said he was very disappointed by the agreement the House and Senate passed earlier this week on the so-called “fiscal cliff.”

“We have a fiscal crisis in this country that makes the ‘cliff’ look like a joke,” Hudson said. “It’s a crisis of spending, and I was very disappointed that they passed a measure that didn’t cut spending.”

“We’ve got to get our spending under control. We’ve got to deal with entitlements.”

Hudson said he’s against any new restrictions on gun ownership in the U.S.

“My hope is that we can start a serious national dialogue like the president talked about where we really look at what are the root causes of this kind of violence. I think it’s a very complex issue,” Rep. Hudson said. “I really hope we can have a serious national dialogue about this.”

Hudson has a bit of an advantage over some of the other freshman on the Hill today; before his run for Congress, he spent five years in Washington, working for Reps. Mike Conaway and John Carter of Texas and Virginia Foxx and Robin Hayes of North Carolina.

His favorite spot in the district, he said, is the top of the Capitol dome, which he said has an “amazing view.”

“You can really see how the city was laid out. You can see the history.”

Scroll Through a live chat with ABC’s Amy Walter and the great political minds from Yahoo! News: