The newly elected members of the House of Representatives—or at least those newly elected from the 427 seats that were decided thus far—went to Washington DC Wednesday for a freshman orientation of sorts. Among them were the largest number of women ever elected and several firsts.
Democrats Sharice Davids of Kansas and Deb Haaland of New Mexico became the first Native American women ever elected to Congress. Fellow Democrats Rashida Tlaib of Minnesota and Ilhan Omar of Michigan are the first Muslim women ever elected. Democrat Ayanna Presley became the first Black woman to represent Massachusetts.
As is customary, the freshman legislators took group and individual official photos.
CLASS PHOTO: New House members braved chilly temperatures outside the Capitol building as freshman orientation cont… https://t.co/AOverWcKv7— World News Tonight (@World News Tonight) 1542213535.0
To the three newly sworn-in Members from Rochester, NY; Tulsa, OK; and Delaware County, PA, welcome to Congress! https://t.co/tgX4DtMLE6— Paul Ryan (@Paul Ryan) 1542156739.0
Newly elected House members (of both parties) gathering for class photo. It is 40 degrees out (feels like 34) https://t.co/JLsws29HEv— Erica Werner (@Erica Werner) 1542210496.0
This is the most women ever elected to congress. Today the members-elect of the 116th Congress took a group picture… https://t.co/659IWufrX8— Steven Dial (@Steven Dial) 1542231147.0
Once those photos hit social media, people began to remark on a noticeable difference between the Republican and Democratic freshman classes.
House Republicans-elect look pretty different from House Democrats-elect. https://t.co/KSgFVU4cFx— Erica Werner (@Erica Werner) 1542141992.0
There is something very striking about the new House members. #BlueWave https://t.co/W0F6c3rHKK— Valerie Vaughan 🏔 (@Valerie Vaughan 🏔) 1542167786.0
Eye-opening: "Proportion of Democrats who are white men will drop from 41% to 38% while Republican figure will clim… https://t.co/stDmHr8aG7— Kevin Frisch (@Kevin Frisch) 1542228420.0
A look back to 2016 showed the GOP equally "diverse."
19 Of the 27 freshman Republican members of House plus leadership. I've learned a lot & am excited about the future! https://t.co/uM1CMI9L6H— James Comer (@James Comer) 1479341975.0
Once the disparity was pointed out, people had plenty to say about it.
Most of it failed to complement the GOP. Some felt it would be more difficult to tell the GOP members apart.
@ericawerner Or did the #GOP just make the hardest version of Guess Who? ever... https://t.co/F0vSYIEHJE— Sean McGrath (@Sean McGrath) 1542171171.0
@Ezzekiel_Fox @ericawerner Yeah but what if the answer is no to that. You're screwed.— Sean McGrath (@Sean McGrath) 1542208011.0
@n_colekle_n @HeySeanMcGrath @Ezzekiel_Fox @ericawerner You can knock one down with; “Is it a man or a woman?”— Nadia 🐝 (@Nadia 🐝) 1542216588.0
@kristaharte @ElizaEliza1992 @n_colekle_n @HeySeanMcGrath @Ezzekiel_Fox @ericawerner Is your person out of touch? Y… https://t.co/BIe6L4Xfar— Matthew Paul (@Matthew Paul) 1542219862.0
Others questioned the GOP's concept of diversity.
@ericawerner @Ace95Boiler16 When diversity means a dude with one eye...— Brooke Tunstall (@Brooke Tunstall) 1542213343.0
@ericawerner Diversity for the Democratic Party means that there are differences in gender, age, cultural backgroun… https://t.co/D6MoAvLZzX— Iniko Blue (@Iniko Blue) 1542176316.0
@spencerkiggins @ericawerner You named 2, Spence. 1 of which, lost. Either way you cut it, Dem elects look a lot mo… https://t.co/Q61qse8DHw— Kam 👨🏾💻 (@Kam 👨🏾💻) 1542220365.0
@ericawerner @ellisthekat But look at those inclusive Reps! They elected a pirate!!— Scarlett Speedster (@Scarlett Speedster) 1542207735.0
@DeonJeffrey @Ninja_princess2 @ericawerner @ellisthekat The focus is the lack of diversity on the right. Republica… https://t.co/5ah5mTNhK7— Rebellion (@Rebellion) 1542222684.0
@ericawerner @CoachKnee I feel like you aren’t giving enough credit for the many shades of white on the R side.— Greg Malling (@Greg Malling) 1542209817.0
@ericawerner @RTMannJr Republicans talk a lot about how the GOP and their policy positions are appealing to women… https://t.co/WnomowZFMK— Stephen Pomes (@Stephen Pomes) 1542198293.0
@ericawerner @andartissa And the GOP wonders why they have difficulty garnering support from women and people of color... #WhiteMenOnly— Scott is Disgusted 🍑 #ImpeachTheMF (@Scott is Disgusted 🍑 #ImpeachTheMF) 1542188645.0
@ericawerner @PrincessBravato WOW! what a difference. I'm not sure the @GOP will ever accept the truth of their "de… https://t.co/s2S2qh5WOn— Carolyn Burgess 🌊 (@Carolyn Burgess 🌊) 1542172086.0
Like the incumbents, the new House members are mostly Democrats, who helped their party win the House… https://t.co/TBRbOVT6P7— Phony Constitutional Clauses; Emoluments 🆘😷🗽 (@Phony Constitutional Clauses; Emoluments 🆘😷🗽) 1541974291.0
@ericawerner Looks about white.— This is MY COUNTRY 2 (@This is MY COUNTRY 2) 1542221435.0
And one person thought they were looking at the future versus the past.
@ericawerner On the left, the dying breed. On the right, The Future.— W Andy Knight (@W Andy Knight) 1542213344.0
@ericawerner Amerikkka vs America.— IAmJLW💙🏁💘💎 (@IAmJLW💙🏁💘💎) 1542205876.0