Alaska’s lone representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Mary Peltola was to be sworn into office for a full term in Congress Tuesday. However, nothing in the House can happen until the members elect a Speaker.
This didn’t happen. The only thing a majority of the members could agree upon was to adjourn and attempt again Wednesday.
Peltola, a Democrat sees it as a sign for the times.
She said, “It shows just how divided, even within an party, we are, as Americans,” right off the House floor. “And that’s a concern.
The ball is now in the Republican court. They hold a slim majority but 20 hard-right Republicans voted against Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif). This blocks McCarthy from being the speaker and stops all other members from taking their oaths.
Peltola was not sure at the moment, at the beginning of a new Congress and still unworn, if she was a member or not.
She said, “That’s a great question.” “I believe the incumbents should be. But I’m not sure. That is a question that a parliamentarian should answer.
Whatever the legal reason, Peltola was wearing a pin that signified her membership in Congress’ 118th Congress. Peltola sat in the back of House Chamber and continued voting for Rep. Hakeem Jeffreyries, D.N.Y.
Jeffries did not have a majority. After three rounds of voting, the first day of Congress was deadlocked.
Since the beginning of time, a vote for a speaker has taken place in more than one round.
Peltola stated, “This is historic, because even 100 years ago it went to two rounds and then they adjourned. This I believe can go as many round as people are able to take.
She believes it will end once Republicans come to an agreement and elect a speaker.
Peltola was seen in a Yup’ik-style fur boot and a black kuspuk. To network, she was stopped by an Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian delegation. One national reporter noticed her boots and asked Peltola if she thought Democrats would break the deadlock by electing a Republican speaker.
She said, “I’m sticking to the caucus at this point.”
Two Hakeem Jeffries employees were thrilled to meet her. They gave her a handshake and congratulated. Repeatedly. They invited her to a room in the Chamber’s reception where she could eat mini quiches and other snacks. They said that you can bring your children.
They are so cute! They hadn’t seen her in hours. Five of them had traveled to Washington to witness their mother being sworn into office. They waited in Peltola’s office instead, with two of them wearing U.S. Coast Guard uniforms.
She didn’t need to be worried. Spirits were high at her new office in the Cannon Building across from the Capitol. The children, ranging in age from teen- to adult, were laughing with staff and well-wishers.
Alex Ortiz, her chief of staff, stated that he was excited to welcome new staff members, including Elizabeth Othmer, the new legislative director, and counsel. Othmer, a New Mexico native, is one of three new hires who aren’t originally from Alaska.
Ortiz stated that it is often difficult to find Alaskans who love their state and are willing to move to Washington, D.C. He stated that the new staffers possess their own assets.
He stated that the non-Alaskans he’d hired were “really, really experts” on Capitol Hill and how it works. They are experts in House policy and procedures and have gained a lot of policy knowledge from their experience with other congressional offices.
Ortiz also notes that Peltola has still staffers who are Alaskans, and have worked for other members the Alaska delegation.
The first day of the Senate’s session went according to plan on the other side. For the fifth time, Sen. Lisa Murkowski took office. Her father, the former governor, accompanied her to the well at the Senate. She was accompanied by her father, former Gov. Frank Murkowski, and Sen. Dan Sullivan.
