Today the 116th Congress opened for session, featuring a historically diverse class of women and people of color. This includes the nation's first two Muslim Congresswomen: Somali-American Rep. Ilhan Omar (D- Minnesota), and Palestinian-American Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan). Both were sworn in on Thomas Jefferson's Koran. At the ceremony, Rep. Omar wore the traditional hijab, while Rep. Ilhan wore the thobe, a traditional garment in a number of Middle Eastern countries.
More than 100 women were sworn into the House, which is a new record. Many of them wore brightly colored outfits, making the Democrats starkly contrast with the Republicans' endless parade of old white dudes in suits. Seriously, since 1989, the number of Democratic women in the House grew from 16 to 89, while the number of Republican women in the House stayed the same, at 13. (Oof.) The youngest Congresswoman, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), wore a white pantsuit, in tribute to the suffragettes who paved the way.
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But there were some familiar faces: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California), the first female Speaker of the House was elected Speaker of the House for a second time. Caucus chair Hakeem Jeffries nominated her for the position in entertaining fashion, saying, "House Democrats are down with N.D.P. — Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi."
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In case you're super old or super young, that's a reference to the Naughty by Nature song, O.P.P., which officially stands for 'other people's property,' but appears to stand for 'other people's p****y or penis' - according to the lyrics, anyway.
As a hip-hop fan, I hope this is the first of many rap songs to be quoted on the chamber floor! "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, we must tax the 1%, because Cash Rules Everything Around Me. C.R.E.A.M. Get the money. Dolla dolla bill, y'all."
But you didn't come hear to read about historic diversity or classic rap songs, did you? You came for the memes, so let us begin this session. (Bangs gavel.)
Ch, ch, ch, ah ah ah...[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/Rschooley/status/1080915534017777664]]
What, no Sauron?[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ditzkoff/status/1080914834584043520]]
The Most Trusted Name In Naeosfhewsifhdfadjklsnlsdk[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/jbillinson/status/1080865015211720704]]
F*** your wall[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ziwe/status/1080875799530618880]]
You won't be missed, Paul Ryan[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/HireMeImFunny/status/1080930643184418816]]
Gotta love kids[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/riot718/status/1080895083703164928]]
Gotta love kids, part 2[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ChrisCaesar/status/1080920573629382656/]]
I approve of all Jay-Z references[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ThisIsLaurenY/status/1080884836460576768]]
While the Democrats control the House of the Representatives, the Republicans still control the Senate, and a 72-year-old toddler still controls the presidency. The government is still partially shut down, due to President Trump's refusal to sign any spending bill without billions of dollars for his U.S.-Mexico border wall, which he claimed Mexico would pay for during his entire campaign. The partial shutdown affects over 800,000 federal workers, forcing them to either continue to work and get paid retroactively, or take unpaid time off.
Will the border wall be constructed? Will Congress be in constant gridlock? Will the House Dems investigate Trump's corruption and unearth his long-hidden tax returns? Tune in this season, on America.
