WASHINGTON − Capitol Hill felt like the first day of school on Monday, Nov. 9, as scores of just-elected lawmakers arrived en masse for freshman orientation.
More than 100 soon-to-be senators and representatives were assigned their offices and made friends among their new colleagues. Some greeted eager reporters like seasoned politicians, while a few political newcomers of the bunch were more standoffish.
Standing outside the Senate subway in the Capitol basement, Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown seemed right back at home.
The newly reelected Democrat, who had represented Ohio in the Senate for nearly two decades before losing his seat two years ago, joined his colleagues for orientation despite his long tenure.
"It's been interesting," he told reporters.
"Actually, I've learned some things."
Some of the other arrivals were less familiar with Capitol Hill.
"Most of us are just trying to figure out where our office is and how to find a bathroom," Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan, D-Minnesota, said.
On the other side of the Capitol, Rep.-elect Brad Lander, D-New York, a former New York City comptroller, said he was eager for some of the nerdier parts of familiarizing himself with his new workplace.
"I'm a nerd, so I'm excited about both the Library of Congress visit and the archives," he told USA TODAY.
The tableau of fresh faces was indicative of a new era in Congress after Democrats swept back to power in a stunning blue-wave midterm election last week. In the House of Representatives, they're on track to clinch more than 250 seats, a majority the size of which the party hasn't seen in decades. They also flipped at least seven Senate seats, with Alaska and Mississippi yet to be determined.
While the legislative branch won't officially move under Democrats' control until early January, new members will be spending this week and next learning the ins and outs of legislating.
They'll also choose who they want to lead them in the next Congress. Republicans in both chambers are scheduled to hold private leadership elections this week, though they could be delayed in the Senate. Democrats will hold their elections in the coming weeks.
Zachary Schermele is the congressional correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com and on Signal @zachschermele.02. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Historic class of new Democrats arrives on Capitol Hill
