Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan Day One: 25 Photos #Virginia #History

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan was officially sworn-in on the evening of March 7 on the floor of the U.S. House. She is now a member of the 118th Congress and is the first Black woman to serve in Virginia’s congressional delegation — a history making first for Virginia.

McClellan spent her first day completing media interviews, speaking to other lawmakers and attending three swearing-ins: One on the House floor, a ceremonial swearing-in with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a ceremonial swearing-in hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus. The historic day was documented by several journalists from Virginia who traveled 108 miles north, including the historic Black newspaper, the Richmond Free Press.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan enters her office on her first official day in Congress, March 7, 2023.

The newly sworn-in congresswoman addressed the U.S. House and talked about being the “daughter and granddaughter of men who paid poll taxes and the great granddaughter of a man who took a literacy test and had to find three white men to vouch for him to be able to vote.”

“I stand on the shoulders of my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, recognizing that in a lot of ways I am fighting the same fights that they did. And I stand here to ensure that my children and yours don’t have to fight those same fights,” the new Congresswoman added.

As the U.S. House returned to session after a two week recess, Congresswoman McClellan began her time in Congress at a time of divided government on the federal level as Republicans control the U.S. House — though not by much. But even though Rep. McClellan will serve in the minority in the U.S. House after serving in the majority in the Virginia Senate, she will still maintain two big advantages: Way more staff than she had in the Virginia Senate and service on one of the most powerful committees in Congress: House Armed Services.

A reception in the U.S. Capitol on the third floor featured many members of McClellan’s family including her 90 year old mother and her two sisters. Her husband Dave Mills and children Samantha and Jackson were close by as the historic congresswoman took her first steps into history.

With Congresswoman McClellan’s swearing-in, the U.S. Congress is now 222 Republicans and 213 Democrats. Rep. McClellan is also now a member of the largest Congressional Black Caucus in history. 

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steve Horsford spoke at a reception in the Rayburn Room in the U.S. Capitol before McClellan was sworn-in by the CBC and members gathered around her for a large group photo. McClellan then attended a third reception on Pennsylvania Avenue and was joined by Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and many others.

March 8, 2023 will be Congresswoman McClellan’s first full day in Congress.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan is seen at a ceremonial swearing-in in the U.S. Capitol with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, her husband Dave Mills and their children Jackson, 12, and Samantha, 7.

Congresswoman McClellan speaks with reporters in her congressional office in the 2417 Rayburn House Office Building.

Rep. Jennifer McClellan in her new office speaking with reporters on March 7. 2023.

A view of the Capitol Mall outside the window of H-324, The Family Room, in the U.S. Capitol

Senator McClellan shows journalist Paulette Shipman-Singleton a vets given to her by her collegaues in the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. McClellan sits at her desk and chats with reporters, including RTD’s Michael Martz, in her new congressional office.

In the Rayburn Room in the U.S. Capitol: Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steve Horsford (D-NV), left, shakes hands with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) as Congresswoman McClellan looks on at a ceremonial CBC swearing-in yesterday.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (D-NV) swears in Rep. Jennifer McClellan at the CBC ceremonial swearing-in.

Rep. McClellan’s husband Dave Mills enters H-217 in the U.S. Capitol with their daughter Samantha

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Congressman Bobby Scott pose for a photo after the CBC honors McClellan.

The new Congresswoman shares a laugh with her husband Dave Mills at a reception in the U.S. Capitol before her official swearing-in.

Congresswoman McClellan and her family at a reception before her offical swearin-in on March 7, 2023.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan gets a hug from Keren Charles Dongo, State Director for Sen. Tim Kaine.

Rep. Jennifer McClellan, Keren Charles Dongo and Rep. Bobby Scott at a reception hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus in honor of McClellan.

Friends and family at a reception in the U.S. Capitol.

Congresswoman McClellan, her husband Dave Mills and the family bible.

More fun: An off-the-hill “Swearing-in Celebration” event after all the U.S. Capitol events featured even more people, photos and Sen. Mark Warner (photos from twitter).

The media waits for the newest member of Congress for the ceremonial swearing-in.

Congresswoman McClellan makes her first remarks on the floor of the U.S. House on March 7, 2023. (photo from C-SPAN)

Photos from a historic day as the Commonwealth of Virginia officially has its first Black woman in Congress.

📸 Photos by Lauren Victoria Burke unless otherwise noted 👨🏽‍💻 #HistoryIsNow

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