Watch CBS News

New Congress Takes Oath Of Office

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A new Congress officially took office in Washington, including the new representatives from Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's junior Senator Pat Toomey was escorted down the aisle by his senior colleague Sen. Bob Casey – all part of a Senate tradition that welcomes the newest members to the club.

Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath of office in small groups. Toomey's was the last. He took the oath of office and then had the official photo op with the Vice President.

As for former Sen. Arlen Specter, he's off to teach law at the University of Pennsylvania.

On the House side, all 435 members of Congress were sworn in together by the new speaker, John Boehner of Ohio.

Among the hundreds were freshman Congressman Mike Kelly, a Butler County Republican. Kelly's district stretches from Erie to Butler.

Also sworn in today were Republican Tim Murphy and Democrats Jason Altmire, Mark Critz and Mike Doyle.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.