Administration when possible to make a difference in the lives of the American people, while pushing back against far-right extremism whenever necessary.
And that's a team effort and I'm honored to be part of the team and we'll see what happens on Tuesday when we have leadership elections, but we know the mission.
The mission is, first and foremost, to make a difference in the lives of the American people and the lower costs and improve their quality of life and solve problems for hardworking American taxpayers.
Hopefully that's what the administration that will be sworn in on January 20th is prepared to do as well.
Thank you everyone.
Thank you everyone.
Do you think Knicks or Nets will win tonight?
Tired, delirious.
All the above.
Newly elected members of Congress came to Washington, D.C. for freshman orientation before being sworn in to the 119th Congress on January 3rd.
C-span asked about their first week in the Nation's Capital and, as a former high school teacher,
it's been incredibly rewarding to meet new colleagues, learn about some of the policies and procedures of the House, and really just it's been so rewarding to be literally doing all of it in the midst of American history.
You know, it feels like we are inheriting a very sacred trust and so to be here has been just an honor and privilege meeting incredible people from across the country, Democrats and Republicans who want to come serve their country, advance our interests.
And so it's been great.
Looking forward to the rest of orientation and continuing to learn more and preparing to serve the residents of Maryland 2.
Very exciting, let me just say.
It's really wonderful to be here in D.C.
It's certainly not my first time, but it's my first time as a member of Congress.
So it's really very different and it's one that I, you know, long days of meetings.
You know, anytime you're going through conference organization, that seems to be a lengthy process.
But we got our leaders elected.
We got our rules set for the conference.
All of that was a big accomplishment.
And so really, I think as we go into the second week, there's probably more of the actual nuts and bolts of orientation that you're going to be involved in.
But it's really been a great time to meet colleagues.
This was a great opportunity this morning.
Who would have thought that a class photo would be such an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to be able to converse?
And it was really neat.
I had a radio interview I had to do, but it was neat when I was down here doing it.
And I was looking up and all the conversations that were taking place.
And gentlemen I met was from upstate New York, a Democrat, Josh Riley, and I enjoyed talking to him and meeting him.
So I think this is been good.
Very good.
It's a little bit like the first week of college, just getting to know a lot of folks.
You know, we've read about each other, really tough races across this country.
And it's just so wonderful to be together.
I'm just so impressed.
It's an impressive, impressive class.
A lot of folks coming out of state legislatures and folks who aren't have incredibly dynamic backgrounds.
And so it's just very, it's still surreal, a little bit surreal still.
Last night we visited the archives and to be able to be so close to our founding documents, I steered up a little bit.
It's hard to believe that amongst all the chaos of this country and certainly the results of last week's election, that moment was really special and it really crowded me on why we are here as to protect and defend the Constitution.
And it was a pretty cool moment.
Lots of learning, lots of information, getting ready and set up to be ready to go in January.
It's been exciting.
You know, I really have enjoyed it.
I'm a current state senator, so this is different and the same in a lot of ways.
But I think the orientation has been great.
I'm getting a chance to meet a lot of great people on both sides of the aisle, and I just did here.
So we're looking forward to it.
This is serious work.
I understand the gravity of the situation and understand the gravity of my position.
I'm looking forward to serving the people of Syracuse, Utica, and all of the constituents of NY22.
What was the moment like when you walked onto the House floor as Congresswoman-elect?
I mean, I've been a state senator for six years and I'm still not used to that title.
So, you know, if this ever stops being special, if it ever stops being cool, I'm doing it wrong.
This is a real honor that so many people put their faith in me to represent them, and I'm never going to take that for granted.
When you went onto the House floor for the first time as Congressman-elect, what was that like?
Oh, that's just sort of an awe-inspiring moment.
And, you know, our speaker, Mike Johnson, he is an incredible constitutional attorney and knows his history inside and out.
And just having his personal reflections and explanation of things was just very, very meaningful.
And so it was a great evening when we walked onto the floor.
It was surreal.
You know, you know how much history has happened in that chamber.
And to be a part of it, to be there, to be sitting in those seats, knowing what we're about to take on is humbling, it's exciting, and it's an honor.
It was real, you know.
I'm also used to assigned seating.
So I'm a former teacher, but also a state senator.
So we're going to have to figure that one out.
I got very emotional when we got to go on the House floor for the first time.
I've never been there.
And, you know, I grow up watching the State of the Union, watching everyone walk in and the full Congress there.
And now I'm going to be able to be there myself.
So I didn't expect to get emotional, but all of us have worked hard to get here.
And we're still all very excited and sometimes have to pinch ourselves that we're here.
As the first Latina ever to be elected to Congress from New Jersey, for me, it was really very emotional.
It was an opportunity to really remember how important our country is, how important it is to making sure that we do all the right things.
You know, I love my country and as an American, just to walk into the halls of Congress is such an amazing, just a great feeling.
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