The video shows freshman members of the US House of Representatives walking up the Capitol steps, stopping to chat in small groups and greet one another warmly — a few trading enthusiastic high-fives. The newcomers, who come from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Virginia and other states, are in town for a mandatory orientation meant to walk first-time lawmakers through parliamentary procedure, the work ahead of them and daily life on Capitol Hill.

They arrived in Washington after November's midterms, which delivered big wins for the Democrats and a much smaller Republican freshman class. It is a handover moment: the incoming politicians pass outgoing incumbents who are packing up their offices, a sign the next legislature is about to take over.

In the weeks ahead, the new members will study how legislation moves and how the institution runs. Then the 120th Congress convenes on 3 January 2027, when they will be sworn in and officially begin their terms.

Source: euronews.com