AFL-CIO: “116th Congress Commences”

AFL-CIO

The Labor Wire

Jan. 3, 2019

Today is the first day of the history-making 116th Congress, which now includes nearly a dozen union members and even more worker-friendly elected officials.

Message of the Day—116th Congress Commences

The barrier-breaking 116th Congress includes a number of union members:

  • Sen. Jacky Rosen (UNITE HERE) of Nevada;
  • Rep. Ed Perlmutter (LIUNA) of Colorado;
  • Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CWA) of Connecticut;
  • Rep. Jahana Hayes (AFSA) of Connecticut;
  • Rep. Dave Loebsack (AFT) of Iowa;
  • Rep. Stephen Lynch (Ironworkers) of Massachusetts;
  • Rep. Donald Norcross (IBEW) of New Jersey;
  • Rep. Pramila Jayapal (NWU) of Washington;
  • Rep. Kim Schrier (Public School Employees) of Washington;
  • Rep. Denny Heck (Public School Employees) of Washington; and
  • Rep. Ilhan Omar (AFSCME) of Minnesota.

The 116th Congress also includes:

  • The largest class of women ever;
  • The first two Native American women;
  • The first two Muslim American women; and
  • The first openly bisexual senator.