The speaker’s election is set to dominate the opening of the new Congress, but the day will also bring a roster of history-making members.
In the Senate, two Black women — Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland — will be sworn in, the first time in the nation’s history two Black women senators will serve at the same time.
Sen.-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey also is making history as the first Korean American to join the chamber.
In the House, Sarah McBride is the first openly transgender person in the Congress.
U.S.-Rep.-elect Sarah McBride will be sworn in as the first openly transgender member of Congress on Jan. 3. The Democrat’s political victory comes during a reckoning for transgender rights, and after an election filled with campaign ads and politicians demeaning trans people. (AP Video: Jessie Wardarski)
And Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who recently suffered a fall overseas and underwent hip replacement surgery, will make her own return to Washington, a reminder of the power she wielded when Democrats last held the majority.