Official Senate records and public announcements

Kamala Harris Swears In New Senators for 119th GOP-Controlled Congress, Marking Historic Firsts for Black Women

Jan 3, 2025, 05:16 PM

Vice President Kamala Harris officiated the swearing-in ceremony for new and returning U.S. Senators on January 3, 2025, marking the commencement of the GOP-controlled 119th Congress. Among those sworn in were Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, making history as the first time two Black women will serve simultaneously in the Senate. Alsobrooks, the third Black woman elected as a U.S. Senator, was joined by former Senator Barbara Mikulski, who previously held the seat Alsobrooks now occupies. Other senators sworn in included Republicans Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and Ted Cruz of Texas, who began his third term. The ceremony also saw the swearing-in of Senator-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey, marking another historic moment. Harris, the second Black and first South Asian American woman elected to the Senate, conducted the ceremony until her term ends on January 20.