The 113th Congress
By Leigh Claffey
January 3, 2013
Today marks the beginning of the 113th Congress, where Congressman Westmoreland was sworn into his 5th term in the United States House of Representatives. The House now has 233 Republicans and 200 Democrats, meaning the House Majority remains Republican. Congressman John Boehner (OH-R) was reelected as Speaker of the House. Congressman Eric Cantor (VA-R) was reelected as Majority Leader, and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (CA-D) was re-elected as Minority Leader.
Other Republican leadership includes:
- Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy
- Majority Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam
- Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers
- Campaign Committee Chairman Greg Walden
- Campaign Committee Deputy Chairman Lynn Westmoreland
- Policy Committee Chairman James Lankford
- Conference Vice-Chair Lynn Jenkins
- Conference Secretary Virginia Foxx
Of the 435 Members, the House welcomed 95 new Members; 56 Democrats, 1 Independent, and 28 Republicans. Notable among the freshmen members is Representative Doug Collins, from Georgia’s 9th district. Rep. Collins fills Georgia’s newest seat, which was redistricted for the 113th Congress following the 2010 US Census.
There are 3 vacant seats (1 Democrat and 2 Republican) that will be filled through special elections in the upcoming months.
Leigh Claffey is Congressman Westmoreland's staff assistant.