<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1668475181638,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"0000016c-7763-d473-a96f-77eb53420000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1668475181638,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"0000016c-7763-d473-a96f-77eb53420000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_68442663", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1184710"} }); rn","_id":"00000184-78de-da74-a1bd-7ade840c0000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedLawmakers returned to Congress on Monday after being away for several weeks campaigning in midterm elections that shifted the balance of power in Washington.
A busy week filled with GOP leadership elections added to the frenzy on Capitol Hill as newly elected members continued a week’s worth of orientation that began Sunday.
As the incoming freshman class participated in a full day of programming on Monday inside an auditorium at the Capitol, reporters were camped outside, ready to pepper them with questions during breaks.
Rep.-elect Maxwell Frost, who will make history as the first Gen Z member of Congress, said the experience has so far felt reminiscent of the first day of school.
“I definitely am still learning my way around and got lost a couple of times,” Frost said in an interview with the Washington Examiner as members broke for lunch. “It does feel like school — you have a week, and then you get Thanksgiving break; you have another week, it’s Christmas.”
A number of issues loom large over the first week for the incoming freshmen. GOP members-elect were asked whether they would support Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for speaker ahead of leadership elections slated to take place the next day.
Even as Republicans have not yet won enough races to secure a House majority — nearly 20 contests are still not called — the Republican conference is expected to move forward with choosing who will head the party. Currently, Republicans are expected to win a narrow majority that gives McCarthy’s right flank leverage and imperils his speakership bid should he not concede to their demands.
Still, a number of new members expressed support for the minority leader.
“I’m voting for Kevin McCarthy. He’s one of the main reasons we flipped the House,” said Republican Rep.-elect Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin’s 3rd District.
Other new members were evasive when asked about who they intended to support in Tuesday’s leadership elections.
“I think that the candidates running for leadership positions are very strong candidates, and I’m excited to see who takes those positions tomorrow,” said Republican Rep.-elect Monica De La Cruz of Texas’s 15th District.
“I think we’ll wait and see how that plays out. We don’t comment before things have happened,” Rep.-elect Rich McCormick (R-GA) told the Washington Examiner. “Yeah, it’s all just hearsay until that happens.”
The hard-line House Freedom Caucus is seeking to diminish McCarthy’s power next year with rules changes in exchange for their votes.
Yet, emerging from a candidate forum Monday in which McCarthy made his case to Republicans that he deserved to become speaker, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a member of the caucus, said she will cast her vote for McCarthy, slamming the efforts of other Republicans threatening to derail his bid.
HOUSE FREEDOM CAUCUS WEIGHS RULES CHANGES AHEAD OF LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS
Despite a history of incendiary statements that ultimately led to the removal of her committee assignments, McCarthy has been meeting regularly with Greene, promising her that she will be reinstated once Republicans take control of the chamber once again.
Reporters swarmed the press area as Greene exited the forum auditorium to answer questions.
“Of course I’m going to be seated on committees. Isn’t it silly for anybody to think I’m not going to be? I should have been on committees this entire time,” Greene said.
The incoming members also couldn’t escape questions about former President Donald Trump, who is expected to announce a third run for the White House on Tuesday.
Asked about the impending announcement, Van Orden wished him the best.
“There’s two things I know for certain. Donald Trump is gonna do what Donald Trump wants to do, and I guarantee he will not be calling me to ask for my advice before he makes a decision. And that’s where I’m at with that,” the Wisconsin Republican said.
The former president’s loyal allies, including Greene, defended his decision to announce and said ultimately that it is the voters who want to see him on the ticket in 2024.
“I think he proved [to] everybody in 2016. It doesn’t matter who’s against him or for him. It’s about the American people because they’re the ones that are voting,” she said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
A big question for Democrats heading into the lame-duck session of Congress is whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) will run again for the top leadership position within the Democratic conference.
Asked about the prospect of her running again, Rep.-elect Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island’s 2nd District told the Washington Examiner he will back Pelosi if she chooses to run again.
Frost said he applauds the House speaker, adding, “We will say what she decides to do when it comes time. She’s been a great leader of our caucus for a long time.”
