With the most races in the 2024 election rang, both Democratic and Republican elected representatives attended forums, meetings and orientation courses to prepare them for their work as members of Congress.

Many new members come to Washington, DCwith political experience in tow, while others bring other experiences to their new positions, such as military service, education, healthcare and legal work.

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI), whose committee organizes orientation for new members, said current lawmakers are excited about the arrival of new colleagues and look forward to the two weeks of orientation “events” and elections. lead.

“A lot of information comes from new members from a range of backgrounds,” Steil said. “In many ways that’s the strength of the Chamber, is that the individuals, men and women, come from a lot of backgrounds, but to really go in and try to absorb as much information as possible, be the best member and You can be a representative of that district.”

Steil added that many aspects of the orientation are nonpartisan compared to his arrival in Congress in 2018, such as transportation and meeting rooms.

“There’s plenty of time here to have partisan disagreements, but not everything here has to be a partisan fight,” Steil said.

Leaving their hotel Tuesday, several members expressed their joy at meeting their future colleagues from both sides of the aisle, with Rep.-elect Laura Freidman (D-CA) noting that she wishes she could step into the post “right now.” . After orientation ends next week, they won’t return to the Capitol until January, when they’ll be sworn in as members of the House of Representatives.

For some elected members, this is not their first time on Capitol Hill.

Sam Liccardo, the Democrat who will represent California’s 16th Congressional District, got his first taste of Washington, DC, when he was a 17-year-old intern. Now, he will take over the seat of retiring Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) in 2025.

He told reporters he was excited to meet new colleagues and learn “all the details.”

“It’s important to know where the bathrooms are in the building, but obviously the most important thing to do when you’re managing is to build good teams in the first few weeks and months,” joked Liccardo.

Gil Cisneros, the Democratic congressman for California’s 31st district, also went through orientation for new members. Cisneros was the U.S. Representative for California’s 39th district, but was defeated in the 2020 election by Representative Young Kim (R-CA).

Cisneros said he spent much of the first day getting to know new colleagues and renewing old ones.

During remarks to reporters Monday morning, Democratic Rep.-elect Suhas Subramanyam called the first day of orientation “bittersweet,” saying that while he hoped for a Democratic majority, he promised during his campaign to “work with everyone, including the Republicans.” and including President Trump.”

Rob Bresnahan, the Republican congressman-elect from Pennsylvania’s 8th district, said his ultimate goal is to advance a leadership agenda that aligns with what’s best for his constituents.

“But this week, I’m learning a lot and drinking through a fire hose, and I’m so incredibly excited and humbled that the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania are willing to give me a chance,” Bresnahan said.

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Many members expressed being tired from the first full day of orientation, but felt energized for the rest of the week.

“We’re just getting our bearings, getting our technology, our phones, our laptops,” said Republican Rep. Bob Onder of Missouri. “Really, it’s just the beginning. We came in here yesterday looking forward to gearing up for the 119th Congress and getting to work in January.”