The gridlock and politics subsided for one day on Capitol Hill as South Florida gained three new Democrats. Joe Garcia, Patrick Murphy and Lois Frankel all took their oaths of office. Congresswoman Frankel seems to sum up the celebration best.
“You know it’s excitement, it’s an honor. You know this is just - to be a member of the most important government in the world, is just an amazing feeling.”
Now it's time to get to work. For Frankel that means focusing on the district.
“First of all for me – a freshman coming in, the most important thing for me is great constituent service. A lot of needs back at home, but just getting people through the federal bureaucracy. Whether it’s a Medicare issue, a Social Security, veteran benefits. We’re going to have a good, high powered office to help our constituents.”
The new lawmakers say they're also hoping to bring a less partisan tone to DC than the gridlock that marked the 112th Congress.