On Monday, Rep. Tim Kennedy (D.Y.) was sworn in in the House of Representatives, replacing now-retired Rep. Brian Higgins (D.Y.), leaving Republicans with just a one-vote lead on party-line votes. .
Kennedy, previously a state senator, defeated Republican candidate Gary Dixon in a special election for New York’s 26th Congressional District last week.
“I stand before you humbled that God has given us the opportunity to share this moment together,” he said on the floor after being sworn into office. “This great and grand responsibility has been given to me by the people of Western New York.”
Currently, the total number of members of the House of Representatives is 430 (217 Republicans, 213 Democrats), and the Republican conference has a narrow majority. That gap has narrowed in recent months as several Republican lawmakers have chosen to resign early.
The next vacancy to be filled is former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). A special election will be held in his Central Valley district on May 21st.
Higgins resigned from Congress in February after nearly 20 years in the House, citing increasing dysfunction and the “slow and frustrating” pace of progress in Washington, D.C., and is now at Shay’s in Buffalo. He is the president and CEO of the Performing Arts Center. The longtime lawmaker was one of many House members who announced they would not seek re-election amid frustration with the chaos at the Capitol.
new york area It runs along the Niagara River, including the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Buffalo mass shooting in 2022 inspired Kennedy to defend Gun safety legislation in the New York State Senate.
“We believe that the character traits that define us in the Buffalo Niagara region are the same ideals that all Americans hold,” President Kennedy said on the floor. “We believe that our desire to realize our greatest potential as a community in Western New York is equally shared by every community across the country.”
Mr Kennedy plans to finish out Mr Higgins’ term in office by January, and a full term is expected to be voted on in November.
“I look forward to working with you to change our country for the better,” he continued. “I look forward to those of us in this chamber providing leadership on the world stage that will make our fellow Americans proud.”
Contributed by Julia Muller.
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