Skip to content

Something Old, Something New, Someone Appointed, Neither Blue

Republicans Jon Kyl and Troy Balderson sworn in on Wednesday

Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., left, conducts a ceremonial swearing-in for Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, second from right, before being sworn in on the House floor Wednesday Sept. 5, 2018. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)
Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., left, conducts a ceremonial swearing-in for Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, second from right, before being sworn in on the House floor Wednesday Sept. 5, 2018. (Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

Congress grew by two Republicans on Wednesday when Jon Kyl was sworn on the Senate side and Troy Balderson over in the House. 

Shortly after the Senate convened at noon and voted to confirm Elad Roisman to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Vice President Mike Pence swore in Kyl, a former Senate minority whip who retired in 2013 but was appointed on Tuesday to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Former Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., left, walks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to the Senate floor in the Capitol to be sworn in as the Senator to fill Sen. John McCain's seat on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Former Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., left, walks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to the Senate floor in the Capitol to be sworn in as the Senator to fill Sen. John McCain‘s seat on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

The Senate now has 51 Republicans, 47 Democrats and two independents who caucus with Democrats.

A few hours later, Balderson, who won a special election in Ohio last month to replace Republican Pat Tiberi (who left his seat in January to take a job in the private sector) took the oath of office as a member of the House.

The House now has 237 Republicans and 193 Democrats. There are five vacancies: Pennsylvania 7th (Pat Meehan resigned), Pennsylvania 15th (Charlie Dent resigned), Oklahoma 1st (Jim Bridenstine left when he was confirmed as NASA administrator), New York 25th (Louise Slaughter, who died) and Michigan 13th (John Conyers Jr., who resigned).

Paul Fontelo contributed to this report.

Recent Stories

Capitol Lens | O’s face

Mayorkas impeachment headed to Senate for April 11 trial

Muslim American appeals court nominee loses Democratic support

At the Races: Lieberman lookback

Court says South Carolina can use current congressional map

Joseph Lieberman: A Capitol life in photos