House

First Native American congresswomen embrace after being sworn in

by Avery Anapol - 01/03/19 4:00 PM ET

The first two Native American women to be elected to Congress shared a moment on Thursday after being sworn in.

Reps. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) embraced on the House floor as newly-elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) congratulated the 116th Congress.

Video shows Haaland appearing to wipe away tears, first with her hands and then with her colleague’s scarf as the two celebrated.

Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids, the first Native-American women to ever serve in Congress, share a moment after being officially sworn in: pic.twitter.com/acIRC5hX20

— Frank Dale (@fwdale) January 3, 2019

{mosads}Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe, wore a traditional Pueblo dress along with silver and turquoise jewelry for the swearing-in ceremony.

Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, is also openly gay and part of the “rainbow wave” that saw a record number of LGBTQ candidates running for public office this year.

Tags 116th Congress Deb Haaland Nancy Pelosi Native American congresswoman Native Americans Sharice Davids