What Missouri’s new Congressmen can expect on their first day

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - New members of the 118th Congress will take to the floor for the first time at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. in 2023.

Missouri’s Eric Schmitt will start his first term in the U.S. Senate alongside U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, taking the place of former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt. Senator Blunt chose not to run for reelection.

In the House, Missouri has eight Representatives. Incumbents kept all their seats in the recent election, but two seats were vacated by representatives who chose to run for Blunt’s Senate seat. In Missouri’s 4th District, which includes the Kansas City area and Lebanon, Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler was replaced by Republican Mark Alford. In District 7, which includes Springfield, Joplin, and Branson, Eric Burlison was elected to replace former Representative Billy Long.

As is the standard order of events in the House of Representatives, House officers are assigned on the first day; those posts include the Clerk, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Sergeant at Arms, and the Chaplain.

Congressmen will say the Pledge of Allegiance and do a roll call. The Speaker of the House will be elected. Then, members will take the oath of office.

Once those things are complete, House and Senate leaders will call the President to let him know they’re ready to start work for the session.

The House will review the rules, and both chambers will carry on with other opening-day events.

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com

Copyright 2023 KY3. All rights reserved.