House returns for somber agenda

House returns for somber agenda

WASHINGTON — The House chamber was nearly empty. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, led the floor in a prayer and a pledge of allegiance, and heard from two members of Congress with procedural questions. With that, the House adjourned – four minutes after the session...
Boehner’s big moment

Boehner’s big moment

WASHINGTON — Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio., was elected speaker of the House of Representatives as the 112th Congress convened for the first time Wednesday, returning divided government to the nation’s capital after a two year interlude. A cheer went up from...
Senators enjoy ceremony of the day

Senators enjoy ceremony of the day

WASHINGTON—Vice President Joe Biden, in his role as president of the Senate, has now sworn in 50 senators, 16 of them entering their freshmen term, at the official ceremony that started shortly after noon on Wednesday. But just down the hall in the Old Senate Chamber,...
Dorm-style housing on Capitol Hill

Dorm-style housing on Capitol Hill

Story by Lauren Schwartzberg and Roshan Nebhrajani Business meetings, banquets and bedtime. The offices of some congressmen host all three. By 4 p.m. Wednesday, all new and re-elected members of the 112th Congress will be sworn in. Members of Congress are required to...
Some Democrats defect on Pelosi

Some Democrats defect on Pelosi

WASHINGTON—Nancy Pelosi handed over the speaker’s gavel to John Boehner Wednesday and assumed her role as the top Democrat in the House, but not without competition inside her own party. While the 241 votes in favor of Boehner were expected due to the new...

Latinos making own history in new Congress

Among the dozens of newly elected officials sworn in Wednesday on Capitol Hill, five are making history. They are Hispanic and Republican, and for the first time in Congress’ history, no new Hispanic Democrats were sworn in alongside them. The addition of these...