The man who toppled former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) in a primary over the summer and the 100th woman in the 113th Congress were sworn in Wednesday evening.
Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), who delivered a stunning defeat of Cantor in the June GOP primary, as well as Reps. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) and Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) were sworn in to fill vacancies for the remainder of the 113th Congress. All three were also elected to represent the districts in the new session starting in January.
{mosads}Brat largely stuck to thanking his family and constituents in his first House floor speech after being sworn in after the first House vote of the lame-duck session.
“Thank you to my new colleagues and thank you to the people of Virginia’s 7th district,” Brat said. “I want to thank my wife, Laura, and my children, Jonathan and Sophia, for believing in me.”
Adams, who now increases the number of women in the House and Senate to 100, noted the historical significance. She will replace former Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), who resigned in January to become the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
“I stand here on the shoulders of the fearless women who shattered the glass ceiling,” Adams said. “It is the great honor that I stand here before you tonight as the 100th woman in the 113th Congress.”
Norcross, a former labor union advocate who will replace former Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.), reflected upon how he got to Congress.
“Life always brings so many twists and turns, and you never know where you’re going to be. I grew up in the profession as an electrician. And look where we are now. Member of the House. This is truly the American dream and I’ve proud to be part of it,” Norcross said.
The House now officially has 435 members and no vacancies, with a breakdown of 234 Republicans and 201 Democrats.