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Capitol View®
Brett Neely

New Congress begins with one new Minnesota face

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WASHINGTON - On Capitol Hill the first day of the new Congress there were shiny new clothes, new faces, hugs, and not a lot of real work to do.

"Congratulations, pal," said Vice President Joe Biden to DFL Sen. Al Franken after administering the oath of office a second time for the cameras (the actual swearing in takes place on the Senate floor where cameras are prohibited).

Franken began his second term escorted through the chamber by DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Vice President and Sen. Walter Mondale.

His second term marks a milestone of sorts in Minnesota politics: it's the first time Minnesota will be represented by two two-term senators since the 1980s, when Republicans Rudy Boschwitz and Dave Durenberger served together.

Seven of Minnesota's eight U.S. House members were re-elected in November. Several, including DFL Reps. Collin Peterson and Betty McCollum are now enjoying the benefits of seniority in the form of better office space in the Rayburn House Office Building (perks include much larger offices for members and staff and a subway to the Capitol, downsides include omnipresent fluorescent lighting and maze-like hallways).

Republican Tom Emmer, representing the 6th District, is the new face in the delegation. He replaces Michele Bachmann, who stepped down after four terms.

Visitors noshed on pastries at a reception in his new office in the nosebleed section of the Cannon House Office Building that feels a bit like a cramped freshman dorm room (zero perks). Emmer's large family is in the capital for his swearing in. Emmer has seven children and shepherding them around is a logistical challenge in its own right.

At a reception for Emmer hosted by the Minnesota State Society and the congressional delegation, Emmer's wife, Jackie, noted that one daughter had lost her ID and was in danger of not being able to make it into the House for the swearing in. No word on whether the ID was found.

Emmer faced his first political test a few hours later when the House voted for speaker. Some of the most conservative members of the House Republican caucus staged a rebellion against Speaker John Boehner. In the end 25 members voted against the speaker, the most since the 1920s. But when the clerk called Emmer's name to vote, he announced, "Boehner."

One member who wasn't present on the first day of Congress was 8th District Democrat Rick Nolan. Yesterday, Nolan announced on Facebook that his youngest daughter, Katherine, aged 38, had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and that he was staying by her side as she began meeting with doctors. He'll be sworn in when he returns to the Capitol.