It’s Freshmen Orientation today. Congressional freshmen, that is. As Bloomberg News reports:
The 2011 U.S. House freshman class is in Washington for orientation as Congress today opens a lame-duck session to decide whether to extend billions of dollars in Bush-era income-tax cuts.
Michigan has five new U.S. Representatives: Republicans Dan Benishek (1st District), Bill Huizenga (2nd District), Justin Amash (3rd District), Tim Walberg (7th District), and Democrat Hansen Clarke (13th District).
This will actually be Walberg’s 2nd orientation as he was first elected to represent the 7th District in 2006. He then lost the seat in 2008 to Democrat Mark Schauer but won it back on November 2nd.
The Detroit News reports:
During the 112th Congress orientation, newly elected members learn the ropes in Washington, from legal issues and standards of conduct to understanding pay and benefits and setting up their offices. Newcomers will pose for a class photo on the Capitol lawn, attend receptions and pick their offices.
