WASHINGTON — Where to live? Whom to hire? What’s a voting card — and where are the bathrooms? More than 100 members of Congress will arrive in Washington this week for the first time since winning election, trading the loftiness of campaign speeches for mundane lessons in how to do their new jobs.
It’s freshman orientation on Capitol Hill, and the larger- than-usual class of 2010 is getting a crash course on how to navigate the next two years.
Talk of changing the nation’s direction? That’s on the back burner for now. The newly elected House members — 85 Republicans and a meager nine Democrats — need actual directions around their workplace. The Senate is having its own orientation at the same time.
Instead of American exceptionalism, his election night theme, Rep.-elect Tim Scott, R-S.C., is focused on Washington’s exceptional rental prices.
“Nothing here is affordable, is what I’ve learned,” said Scott, who might share an apartment with classmates.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., told supporters in his victory speech that he would “stand strong in the epic battle that we have in front of us to take back our country.”
But come Monday, Kinzinger will be looking for a one-bedroom apartment, setting up an interview with a prospective chief of staff and figuring out whether he wants to deal with a commute or live within walking distance of the Capitol.
The second-ranking Republican, Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, had a 144-page book in the mail to new members within hours of Election Day. “Hit The Ground Running” explains the nuts and bolts of setting up a congressional office, hiring staff, managing the office budget and being an employer. It also offers some general rules of the road.
“Do: Get answers for any ethical questions you may have if you are in doubt,” according to the manual.
“Don’t: Disappear from the public” between Election Day and the new Congress. “Even though you won’t take office until January, many of your constituents will view you as their member of Congress.”
