The 117th United States Congress Convenes

On January 3, 2021, the 117th United States Congress officially convened in Washington, D.C. This marked the beginning of a new legislative session following the November 2020 elections. The session saw an unprecedented degree of diversity in its composition, with a record number of women and minorities taking office.

Key Highlights

• Diversity Milestone: This Congress made history with the presence of 141 women, the highest number ever, comprising both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This represented 26.5% of voting members across both chambers, illustrating a slow but steady increase in female political representation.

• Minority Representation: The 117th Congress also set a new standard for diversity, with significant increases in the number of Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American lawmakers. These changes reflected the growing diversity within the United States electorate and emphasized the shift towards more inclusive representation.

• Notable Figures:

  • Cori Bush was sworn in as Missouri’s first Black congresswoman.
  • María Elvira Salazar and Carlos A. Giménez marked additions to the Hispanic caucus, representing Florida.
  • Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones became the first openly gay Black men elected to Congress, showcasing broader representation of the LGBTQ+ community.

Broader Context

The convening of the 117th Congress occurred during a period of significant political turnover in the U.S., with President Joseph R. Biden Jr. about to assume office following a highly contentious election cycle. The increased diversity within Congress was seen as a reflection of the country’s changing demographics and a response to demands for progress and equity from increasingly vocal social movements.

Legislative Significance

The diverse composition of the 117th Congress underscored potential shifts in legislative priorities, potentially impacting issues such as healthcare, immigration reform, and racial equity. The new Congress would also soon contend with pressing challenges including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related economic relief efforts.

In summary, the 117th Congress not only represented a noteworthy milestone in terms of diversity and representation but also set the stage for a potentially transformative period in American legislative and political history.