New Congress Members Begin Their Terms

The 119th Congress sees a mix of new faces and seasoned members as nine California Democrats join the House, with Speaker Mike Johnson narrowly retaining his position amid traditional chaos. This session marks a historic milestone with 13 out LGBTQ+ legislators, including the first openly transgender member, Sarah McBride, who aims to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights while countering the incoming Trump administration's policies. In Indiana, two new attorneys, Andrew Ireland and Garrett Bascom, join the legislature, maintaining the number of lawyer-legislators at 23. Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico, four minority lawmakers, including write-in candidate Eliezer Molina Pérez, were unable to be sworn in due to certification issues and pending court challenges. Colorado will welcome a wave of new legislators, with a Democratic majority in both chambers and a focus on issues like cost of living and gun safety. As all these changes unfold, the legislative landscape across the States reflects shifting political dynamics and representation.