The New Congress

[lpetrich]

‘Badasses in Their Own Right’: Meet the Freshwomen of Congress - "We’ll soon see the most women ever in the House of Representatives, including the largest number of female Republicans. And the new members have a lot to say."

Congresswomen-elect of both parties suggested that the circumstances of the moment—a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, a likely divided Congress and a record number of women on Capitol Hill—might lend itself to more bipartisanship. Deborah Ross, a North Carolina Democrat, said that narrow margins in the House and Senate create “the opportunity for people to come together” because members see “an opportunity to be the difference-maker.” Yvette Herrell, a New Mexico Republican, agreed. “The expectation of that line in the sand—we need to move past it,” she said. “The only people that hurts are the American people.” Nikema Williams, a Georgia Democrat, echoed Herrell: “Americans are hurting. And it’s not Democratic Americans or Republican Americans; they’re all hurting.”

But not everyone is interested in moderation or compromise. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a Black Lives Matter organizer from St. Louis, spoke of working with a small but growing band of “unapologetic activists” who will work together to “apply pressure” on even their own party “to push our agenda.” On the other side of the spectrum, Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) made clear that, compared to the effort spent pursuing middle-ground measures, “I’m going to fight even harder to make sure this progressive socialist movement ends this term, never to be discussed again.” And Miller reiterated as much, saying optimistically, that in lieu of advancing legislation, the Republican Party ought to “come up with a plan for when in two years we do take the House.”

So they are a diverse bunch, with a full spectrum from Cori Bush MO-01 to Lauren Boebert CO-03.

Cori Bush on Twitter: "I’ve survived sexual assault, police abuse, domestic violence, and being unhoused and uninsured. That's not a unique pain I carry. It's one that so many of us live with each day.

Today, I take my seat in Congress to fight for a world where nobody has to endure that pain. https://t.co/mOGyAqF7IE" / Twitter


Rep. Lauren Boebert on Twitter: "The fight for liberty and freedom never stops. Together, we will deliver outstanding results for rural Colorado and stop socialism in its tracks. #AmericaFirst https://t.co/zrLnr8FClK" / Twitter

Lauren Boebert on Twitter: "It warms my heart to have my boys all dressed up and spending the day with me as I get sworn into office today. Thank you everyone for all of your support! https://t.co/JfzccPOuqN" / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

Pelosi's new House rules are gender-neutral, curtail GOP's ability to force 'gotcha' votes | Fox News - "The speaker, however, did not include a ban on firearms for members"

The House's 45-page rules package that will be voted on Monday after the new Congress commences would also continue proxy voting during the coronavirus pandemic, ban lawmakers convicted of certain crimes from visiting the House floor again, and change payment rules on legislation related to the virus and climate change that previously required lawmakers to identify new revenue sources or spending cuts to fund their priorities.

Pelosi announced the "visionary rules package" with Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., on Friday and said it reflects the values of her diverse Democratic majority.

Her announcement:
Pelosi and McGovern Unveil Details of Rules Package for the 117th Congress | Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Summary of the rules changes

The full text of the rules changes

 

[lpetrich]

Congress Swearing-In: A Look At The Incoming Freshman Class : NPR - nice article

The first day brings with it considerably less pomp and celebration than typical opening day proceedings, where Capitol Hill is flooded with newly elected lawmakers and their families.

Instead, the atmosphere will likely be quite somber, especially in light of the death of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who died from complications of COVID-19 just five days before he was scheduled to be sworn in.

The pandemic's presence will also be felt through strict social distancing procedures members will follow on their first day of work, limiting the access to the floor. Incoming freshmen are allowed one guest each in the gallery to watch as they take their oaths. Returning members aren't allowed to have any guests present this year.

A record number of women, minorities, and LGBTQ people are entering Congress, including a record number of Republican women.

The House now has some returnees, and some incoming Senators had previously served in the House.

Reps.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Lauren Boebert, R-Co., made headlines earlier this year for their support of QAnon, a fringe movement that has launched baseless, far-right conspiracy theories about the U.S. government. President Trump, for his part, called Greene a "future Republican star."

In October, the House overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning QAnon.

"We all must call it what it is: a sick cult," House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass, said at the time.

 

[lpetrich]

Cori Bush on Twitter: "I’ve survived sexual assault, police abuse, domestic violence, and being unhoused and uninsured. That's not a unique pain I carry. It's one that so many of us live with each day.

Today, I take my seat in Congress to fight for a world where nobody has to endure that pain. https://t.co/mOGyAqF7IE" / Twitter

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "Mahalo to you and your little ones for teaching us some Hawaiian words, @kaikahele! Felicidades to you and your beautiful family on this momentous and historic day." / Twitter
Congresswoman Marie Newman on Twitter: "And... we’re open!

Follow along for official updates as I fight for the working families of #IL03. I’m so honored to serve as your Congresswoman— It’s time to get to work (video link)" / Twitter
To a clip showing MN opening and closing her office door.

 

[Worldtraveller]

So did the dems/Pelosi even make a show of not seating the dumbass GOP members that are 'protesting' the election?

Or are we already 'moving forward'?

Fucking weak ass spineless shits.

 

[TomC]

So did the dems/Pelosi even make a show of not seating the dumbass GOP members that are 'protesting' the election?

Or are we already 'moving forward'?

Fucking weak ass spineless shits.

This.
If the Democrats aren't willing to play hard ball with the TeaParty they aren't going to get much accomplished besides big donations.

I'm not impressed.
Tom

 

[lpetrich]

Tulsi Gabbard's successor in Congressional seat HI-02 is Kaiali'i (Kai) Kahele.

• Congressman-elect Kai Kahele represents an 'awakened generation' of Native Hawaiians | Hawaii | The Guardian
• Hawaii Sen. Kai Kahele Finds Money, Connections In DC - Honolulu Civil Beat
• Progressive Groups Are Getting More Selective In Targeting Incumbents. Is It Working? | FiveThirtyEight
• Kaiali'i Kahele - Ballotpedia

From The Guardian:

Kai Kahele had one ambition growing up in Hawaii, and that was to fly airplanes. He achieved that goal by the age of 19, and was happy working as a military and commercial pilot when a family tragedy propelled him into the world of politics.

Kahele, an indigenous Hawaiian, was appointed to the state senate in 2016 after the sudden death of his father senator Gil Kahele, 73, a progressive stalwart in the Democratic party for over 40 years. Two day before he died, Kahele’s father had asked him to consider following in his footsteps.

“Five years ago I was a working dad, living my dream as a pilot and raising my young family when things changed overnight. I grew up immersed in the progressive values of the Democratic party, but this is not something I planned to do,” Kahele told the Guardian. “I think my dad knew that if there was someone who was going to continue his legacy, and be a leader in the Native Hawaiian community and for the indigenous peoples in our country, that his son was ready. And here I am.”

KK is 46. He was in the Hawaii State Senate before he ran for Congress in 2020.

 

[lpetrich]

He’ll join Congress as a lieutenant colonel with the Hawaii air national guard and will continue to fly part time with Hawaiian Airlines. (His wife Maria is a flight attendant, and they have three daughters, aged four, six and 16.)
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Kahele served as the state senate majority leader and chaired the committee on land and water amid growing demands from Native communities for environmental justice. The climate crisis is also omnipresent in Hawaii, and islands across the world, as rising sea levels and temperatures are devastating coral reefs and fish stocks, as well as threatening the existence of coastal communities.

“A few metres of sea could wipe out Waikiki, the economic engine of Hawaii. On islands across the Pacific, most of the population lives near the ocean, around the shoreline you have the roads and homes on the verge of collapsing. We need to reimagine and rethink how our communities will look like in the future… when you need to use natural resources to feed your families, you need to understand the changes in climate and environment to survive. That’s where I come from.”

Kai Kahele on Twitter: "Mahalo to @CoriBush & @AOC for taking the time to come off the House floor & meet my family today. You are both an inspiration for my daughters & girls all across the country. https://t.co/8uDn17XdYf" / Twitter
then
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "Mahalo to you and your little ones for teaching us some Hawaiian words, @kaikahele!

Felicidades to you and your beautiful family on this momentous and historic day." / Twitter

Mahalo - Hawaiian "Thank you"
Felicidades - Spanish "Congratulations"

I'm mentioning him because I mixed him up with another Hawaiian, Kaniela Ing. AOC campaigned for him in 2018 when he ran for HI-01. He lost, and AOC was criticized for lending her support to long-shot candidates.

• Kaniela Ing - Ballotpedia
• Hawaii 2018 primaries: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supports Democratic Socialist Kaniela Ing | The Independent | The Independent
• Ocasio-Cortez Brings Her Star Power To Hawaii To Boost Kaniela Ing - Honolulu Civil Beat
• Filmmakers behind Ocasio-Cortez ad return with Ing video

 

[Derec]

Tulsi Gabbard's successor in Congressional seat HI-02 is Kaiali'i (Kai) Kahele.

Seems he wants special rights for so-called "native" Hawaiians. What happened to (classical) liberal value of equal rights for citizens regardless of ethnicity?

 

[Elixir]

Tulsi Gabbard's successor in Congressional seat HI-02 is Kaiali'i (Kai) Kahele.

Seems he wants special rights for so-called "native" Hawaiians. What happened to (classical) liberal value of equal rights for citizens regardless of ethnicity?

How much time have you ever spent in Hawaii, in the company of Hawaiians?
I'd venture that the answer is "none" because upon detecting your stereotypical howlie attitude, they'd likely leave you for dead on a beach somewhere.