118th Congress Begins

118th Congress Begins

Representative Kevin McCarthy was elected Speaker of the House. He will preside over the chamber for the next two years. Photo by Ike Hayman.

118th Congress Begins

Representative Hakeem Jeffries was elected Minority Leader, becoming the first Black person to lead a major political party in Congress. Photo by Ike Hayman.

118th Congress Begins

440 lawmakers, including 74 new freshmen Members, were sworn in on January 7, 2023. Photo by Ike Hayman.

Members were sworn into office on January 7, 2023

Members-elect were sworn in as Members of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 118th Congress.

Early Saturday morning, on January 7, 2023, Representative Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) was elected Speaker of the House. He will preside over the chamber for the next two years.

"As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress. My responsibility — our responsibility — is to our country," Speaker McCarthy told the chamber.

Representative Steve Scalise (LA-01) was elected Majority Leader. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) was elected Minority Leader, becoming the first Black person to lead a major political party in Congress. 

After his remarks, Speaker McCarthy then swore in the rest of the lawmakers, including 74 new freshman Members.

More details about the Members of the House of Representatives are available from the Clerk of the HouseFind your representative and learn more about visiting the Capitol.