Get To Know Your New Member of Congress

Incoming lawmakers the most diverse group yet

Come January 2013 the House Democratic Caucus won't, for the first time, be made up of a majority of white guys. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi mentions it often. And it's clear from a perusal of National Journal's "New Faces of Congress" feature, the most interactive and engaging rundown of incoming lawmakers.

The site features Brady Bunch-like boxes featuring color photos of the newbies. Visitors can sort by categories like political party, gender, minorities and military service, among others. Here are a few notable tidbits about the class of 2013.

The Kids Are Alright. Eighteen new members are age 40 or younger. Rep.-elect Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is the youngest of the group. Oh, and she'll also be the first Hindu to serve in the House. And among 12 with military service.

Capitol Hill Homecoming. Nine incoming members previously served in the House: Rep.-elects Bill Foster (D-IL), Alan Grayson (D-FL), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Dan Maffei (D-NY), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Steve Stockman (R-TX), Dina Titus (D-NV). Of the bunch Nolan could feel the most out-of-place. He left Congress in 1981 after six years in office.

Counting Their Blessings. Many freshmen won by wide margins in gerrymandered districts. But several barely made it to D.C. Rep.-elect Rodney Davis (R-IL) squeaked through with 47 percent. Maffei garnered 48 percent in his Syracuse-area district, though that was good enough to beat the incumbent he lost to two years prior.

Via National Journal and Politix reporting.

Who is your favorite freshman member of Congress from the Class of 2012?

[Rocker]

My most relevant ones are the ones representing me, my district, and my state regardless of party affiliation. Are they MY personal favorites? Time will tell and they'll get a message on the next election if they aren't doing well. The first and foremost requirement is that they recognize who put them there, their responsibilities to the people regardless of party, and their conduct in office.

I don't have any favorites but there are some I may grow to respect. In effect, we hired them to do a job - nothing more, nothing less. Dam shame that we have to put up with their office tenure instead of laying them off or firing them for poor performance metrics like the rest of us have to live by.

[ChangeNow]

Totally agree!

[DerivePI]

New member of congress same as the old member of congress.

[Neo_NtheMatrix]

Correct. They're Democrats so they're corrupt. I truly believe that only people who pay federal taxes should be allowed to vote in federal elections. I bet you there would be far less "tax-and-spend" Democrats being elected if that were the case.

[woodtick57]

@Neo_NtheMatrix another objective, factual post. good job!

[Hireman]

@Neo_NtheMatrix Glenn Beck said it best that the Dems were the party of tax-and-spend and the GOP is the party of spend. Spending is the problem. Until they BOTH cut it out, neither will be any better than the other.

[DARSB]

I'm pleased to see Alan Grayson returning to Congress. His policies pale beside his entertainment value. :-)

[woodtick57]

I'd prefer to see what they actually accomplish before deciding if i like them or not. politics should not be a popularity or beauty contest...

[Bobolinsky]

My favorite new guy is a local one. With the backing of the Tea Party, fiscal conservative Keith Rothfus won the 12th District here in PA... A district that was the home of John "Pork/Earmark King" Murtha for so many decades. He defeated union-backed Mark Critz who was the handpicked Murtha Crony who was sent to Washington to keep the Pork coming.

[PNWest]

With any luck your new teabagger congressman will stay true to his word and stop the pork. It will be poetic justice if your district doesn't get any federal money.

[PNWest]

@Bobolinsky Do you consider teabagger to be offensive? Well bully for you. I consider the opinions of those like you who think that half of America are a bunch of freeloaders to be offensive. Feel free to report me to the moderators.

[FFX_VA]

We need 100% new members every 2 & 6 yrs, rotate them out of the DC swamp each election cycle so they can wash the stench of politics off of themselves. The good ones can go back in once they're cleaned up.

[woodtick57]

Sounds like a zero tolerance policy, which are for people with aero intelligence.

[Zazziness]

@woodtick57 I think term limits would be an excellent idea. There should be no such thing as a "career politician."

[FFX_VA]

@woodtick57 I agree, I actually have quite a bit of Aero intelligence. I love designing airplanes, and do have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to safety risks.(1 x 10^-9 is pretty darn close to zero when dealing with potential safety related failures).

Are you a pilot? Or was that "aero" meant to be "zero" in which case your statement, typo aside, says far more about you than I ever could or would.

[IraqWarVeteran]

@FFX_VA I agree you should work for the Navy and construct a new stealth aircraft for training and preparing the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

[woodtick57]

@Zazziness We have term limits every election. if we have term limits, the only 'professionals' in our gov't will be the military and the intelligence community (and the lobbbyists) makes my tin foil hat all itchy just thinking about it!

[Zazziness]

Ami Bera. It took ages to pry that seat out of Dan Lungren's hands. I'll be very interested to see if Mr. Bera does good things or not.

[MRMacrum]

My favorite new member? It would have to be the guy I voted for, Angus King, Independent Senator from Maine.

[mimi57]

I just can't decide, they're ALL wonderful!(:

[Denizen_Kate]

Just gushing with sarcasm this morning, aren't you? Thanks ... my first chuckle of the day. ;-)

[mimi57]

@Denizen_Kate I'm on double secret probation...I'm being very good, Kate...you'll be so
proud of me, thanks for noticing. lol (:

[jessejaymes]

While congress has less than a 20% approval rating it has been studied and more than 90% of those asked said Congress is 100% corrupt EXCEPT for their OWN congressperson. Who they continually vote back into office. There you have it. The most devastating example possible of people not being able to see the forest for the trees.

[Denizen_Kate]

Impossible to pick a favorite when they haven't done anything yet. Are we supposed to care what they look like? Meh.

[Zoe2012]

None

[Fitz]

Thomas Massie

[marine1]

How long before they are corrupted??

[1adam2]

none of them, since none of them oldies or newbies represent me.