Summarize this article:

Today the Senate will make history, swearing in a record-breaking 20 female senators -- four Republicans and 16 Democrats -- in office. 
  
 As the 113th Congress is sworn in today on Capitol Hill, ABC "World News" anchor Diane Sawyer has an exclusive joint interview with the historic class of female senators. 
  
 Diane Sawyer's complete interview will air on "World News" and "Nightline" tonight. 
  
 "I can't tell you the joy that I feel in my heart to look at these 20 gifted and talented women from two different parties, different zip codes to fill this room," Sen. Barbara Mikulksi, D-Md., said while surrounded by the group of women senators. "In all of American history only 16 women had served. Now there are 20 of us." 
  
 Senator-elect Deb Fischer, R-Neb., today becomes the first women to be elected as a senator in Nebraska. 
  
 "It was an historic election," Fischer said, "But what was really fun about it were the number of mothers and fathers who brought their daughters up to me during the campaign and said, "Can we get a picture? Can we get a picture?' Because people realize it and -- things do change, things do change." 
  
 The women senators all agree that women will be getting things done in this new Congress, a sign of optimism felt for the new Congress, after the bruising battles of the 112th Congress. 
  
 "We're in force and we're in leadership positions, but it's not just the position that we hold. I can tell you this is a can-do crowd," Mikulski said of both Democrats and Republican senators in the room. "We are today ready to be a force in American politics." 
  
 And while the number of women in the Senate today makes history, many of the women agreed that they want to keep fighting to boost those numbers. 
  
 Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said that women are still "underrepresented" in the Senate. 
  
 "I think that until we get to 50, we still have to fight because it's still a problem," Boxer said. "I think this class as you look around, Republicans and Democrats. ... I think that because of this new class and the caliber of the people coming and the quality of the people coming, I think that hopefully in my lifetime -- and I really do hope and pray this is the case -- we will see 50 percent. " 
  
 No Sorority Here, Even With the Will to Work Together 
  
 The cooperation does not make them a "sorority," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., says. There are real differences in ideology and personality and they don't want their gender to define them as senators. 
  
 But the women also admit that they believe having more women in the room would help in fierce negotiations, compromise and legislating on Capitol Hill, traits they say do not come as naturally to their male colleagues in the Senate. That sentiment enjoys bipartisan support among the women of the Senate. 
  
 "What I find is with all due deference to our male colleagues, that women's styles tend to be more collaborative," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said. 
  
 Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said by nature women are "less confrontational." Sen-elect Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, says that women are "problem solvers." 
  
 Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., says that women have a camaraderie which helps in relationships that are key to negotiations on Capitol Hill, something she says comes natural to women more than men. 
  
 "I think there's just a lot of collaboration between the women senators and... advice and really standing up for each other that you don't always see with the men," she said. 
  
 Feinstein said that women are more effective working in Congress because of these traits that they bring to the table. 
  
 "We're less on testosterone," Feinstein said. "We don't have that need to always be confrontational. And I think we're problem solvers, and I think that's what this country needs." 
  
 Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, agreed. 
  
 "Maybe it is the testosterone that you speak to, Dianne, or the ego that is attached there. But I look at what I have been asked to do by the people of Alaska, and it's pretty serious stuff. And it's not the title, but it's the responsibility that comes with the service that I think makes a difference," Murkowski said. 
  
 In the combative halls of Congress, McCaskill argued that for all these reasons women can get beyond "team mentality" of Democrats vs. Republicans and work towards a better goal. 
  
 "Having us in the room... not only do we want to work in a bipartisan way, we do it," McCaskill said. "We actually work together, Republicans and Democrats, and women- try to look at solving the problem rather than just going political points." 
  
 But the women agree that just because their natural tendencies lean toward problem solving, camaraderie and compromise it does not mean they don't fight for what they believe in, which at times can be markedly different from their female counterpart on the other side of the aisle. 
  
 "That doesn't mean that we think alike, and it doesn't mean that we don't span the ideological spectrum," Collins said. "I always push back the idea that there are women's issues. Because every issue from war to taxes to education affect women in this country. And that's why the point of having women be represented on all committees and leading many of them is so important." 
  
 Reproductive rights 
  
 One of those ideological differences that often divides the two parties, and oftentimes women as well, is the issue of reproductive rights. 
  
 Last year the issue took a center stage in the 2012 presidential campaign as well as in races across the country during the congressional elections as a highly polarized and emotionally charged topic. 
  
 The senators showed there is disagreement among them on abortion, reproductive health decisions and even disagreement as to what leadership role women and Congress should play in the debates ahead. 
  
 "I'm pro-choice," Collins said. "But I think those issues should be settled and should not be the main focus of debate. To me those issues, Roe v. Wade, is settled law and I don't know why we would want to keep bringing those issues up. I think we should be focusing like a laser on job creation, the economy, health care, education, foreign policy, national security. Those issues to me are settled." 
  
 Sen-elect Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., disagreed, saying Republicans put those issues onto the Congressional radar screen. 
  
 "I don't think they are entirely settled," Warren said, "I have to say I was really shocked that those are powerful issues in 2012. I would like to think those things are settled. But they were forced forward as issues by people who thought that women should not have that kind of access. And boy, if that's the case, then we better stand up and we better speak out." 
  
 Can Women Fix Washington's Dysfunction? 
  
 The 112th Congress may be best known for long-drawn out fights, fierce partisanship and little to show legislatively for the year. 
  
 The senators argue, at the dawn of a new Congress, that having more women in leadership positions and in the ranks as members will help improve the outlook for a more productive year. 
  
 Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., says that women "leave their ego at the door and "more natural consensus builders." She said because of those traits women should be elected into more positions in Congress. 
  
 "If the major issue of our era right now is the stalemate of Congress, then the message to the American people should be elect more consensus builders to get the job done," Cantwell said. 
  
 Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said that if Washington is ever going to be fixed she believes "it's women who are going to lead the way." 
  
 The senator says she's spoken to President Obama about this very issue, mentioning to the president that the women have a habit of meeting regularly on a bipartisan basis for dinner. The president, she said, plans on hosting the women of the Senate at the White House soon. 
  
 "When I saw President Obama a few weeks ago I told him about our quarterly dinners and I said, 'Mr. President, if you want to see bipartisanship in Washington invited the women senators to help you get it done.' And he loved the idea and he plans to invite us to the White House." 
  
 Predictions for a Female President 
  
 Among the senators there was unanimity in predicting, and hoping, that there will be a female president soon, perhaps as early as 2016. 
  
 Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said here too there is a key difference between how men and women express their personal and political ambitions. 
  
 "I think the thing is, is that every man wakes up in the morning and looks in the mirror and says, 'I could be president.' I think every woman looks in the mirror and says, 'What can I get done for my country today?' " 
  
 Feinstein jokingly corrected her noting that a few times she's toyed with the idea in the midst of a particularly bad episode of Washington gridlock. 
  
 "Well, you may think it from time to time," Feinstein said smiling at the prospect. "Usually when you're very frustrated you think... 'If I were president I could get this done.'" 
  
 Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., shared a story about her 8-year-old daughter, Kate, who came home one day and told her mother that she didn't want her to run for president because she herself wanted to be the first female president. 
  
 "Well she better call Hillary [Clinton]," Boxer quipped of their former colleague in the Senate, widely believed to have a shot at the White House should she run in 2016. 
  
 "Did you break the news to her we're not waiting that long?" McCaskill asked with a laugh. 
  
 Ayotte smiling said she didn't want to break the news to her daughter that there potentially could be a female president before her daughter is of age. She said she told her: "Listen, your mom's going to campaign across the country for you." ||||| This dysfunctional Congress has often looked like an unruly schoolyard, with cool kids, nerds, bullies and outcasts all vying for their own piece of turf. 
  
 And while we wouldn’t want to diminish the massive, consequential issues that Congress is struggling with by comparing the hardworking lawmakers to schoolkids, let’s be honest, it often looks like one big popularity contest. 
  
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 reset Reps.-elect outlook positive POLITICO LIVE: 113th Congress comes to Washington 
  
 With a slate of 84 House rookies being sworn in on Thursday, the freshmen are already angling for their spots in the pecking order. POLITICO has jumped ahead with predictions for freshmen superlatives for the incoming 113th Congress, identifying the people whose names you’ll see in the headlines in the coming year. 
  
 Most likely to succeed 
  
 Tom Cotton (R-Ark.): Thirty-five-year-old political newcomer Tom Cotton is already lauded as one of the GOP’s fastest-rising stars. Cotton handily put the Arkansas district of retiring Democrat Rep. Mike Ross into Republican hands, has an impressive résumé and a growing list of fans on the Hill. The 6-foot-5 Harvard Law graduate left a law practice in 2004 to enlist in the Army, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and won a Bronze Star. Between tours, he was part of the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. During his campaign, Cotton was cheered by everyone from Sen. John McCain to the fiscally conservative Club for Growth to Mike Huckabee. Cotton’s widespread appeal across GOP circles already has many buzzing he’ll quickly move up the ranks in the House. Recently, Cotton penned an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal from a “soldier’s eye view” slamming the could-be nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel for secretary of defense, and he’s been one of the loudest voices against the sequester — a signal he’s more than ready to be his party’s voice on the Pentagon and defense spending. 
  
 Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.): Getting three degrees from Harvard and becoming a successful emergency room doctor just wasn’t enough for Raul Ruiz. In fact, the average three-day workweek of the Hill will probably seem like a vacation for Ruiz. Before he ran for Congress, the doctor was running a mentorship program, working in an ER, opening health clinics and running health education seminars for poorer communities. Ruiz, who unseated longtime Rep. Mary Bono Mack, figures to bring the same nonstop work ethic to Capitol Hill. Ruiz told POLITICO in November he has plans to work with everyone to get things done. “I’m a doctor, we work in teams,” he said. “I’m very committed to problem solving.” Expect him to be an outspoken and important voice for the party on immigration issues. |||||
– The fiscal cliff deal was the last hurrah for the 112th Congress. Now a freshly elected class is coming to Washington, with more than 90 new faces gracing Capitol Hill. Here are some of the notable names and facts you'll want to know: The Rising Star: Politico sees big things in store for freshman GOP Rep. Tom Cotton, who left his law practice in 2004 to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's already earned endorsements from such disparate GOP figures as John McCain, Mike Huckabee, and the Club for Growth. The Workaholic: Before coming to Congress, freshman Democrat Raul Ruiz was working as an ER doctor, running a mentorship program, opening health clinics, and running education seminars in poor areas. And he sounds ready to bring that level of dedication to Washington. "I'm a doctor, we work in teams," he says. "I'm very committed to problem solving." The Class President: Republican Luke Messer has been named president of the freshmen, and sounds like he's already got a handle on things, reports the Hill. "At our first meeting I established a rule where … no one could talk more than two minutes," he said on TV recently, "so our first meeting took 18 minutes, and everybody was very happy." The Inspiration: Expect veteran and double-amputee Tammy Duckworth to be a favorite of the Democratic leadership. She's already proven herself a prodigious fundraiser, given a well-received speech at the DNC, and landed a spot on the Armed Services Committee. The Pro: She may be a newcomer to Congress, but Ann Wagner has loads of experience, having chaired or co-chaired the Missouri Republican party, the RNC, and Roy Blunt's 2010 Senate campaign. John Boehner has already selected her to deliver the weekly GOP address. The Loudmouth: Alan Grayson is back, everybody. The Wrangler: There's a decent bet you'll see Ted Yoho on cable news. A large-animal veterinarian by trade, Yoho at one point ran an ad featuring mud-spattered politicians wrestling with and eating alongside pigs. Maybe he can hang out with fellow Republican Kerry Bentivolio, a reindeer farmer from Michigan. The Empty Seats: This Congress will be notable in part for the colorful personalities that are departing: Barney Frank, Ron Paul, and Dennis Kucinich will all be gone. The Familiar Names: There will once again be a Kennedy on Capitol Hill, as Joseph Kennedy returns to fill Frank's seat. Joaquin Castro, meanwhile, brings a familiar face—he's the twin brother of DNC keynote speaker Julian Castro. The Ladies: ABC News reports that the Senate will, as of today, be comprised of a record-setting 20 females.
Sammanfatta denna artikel: Idag senaten kommer att göra historia, svära i en rekordstor 20 kvinnliga senatorer -- fyra republikaner och 16 demokrater -- i ämbetet. Som den 113:e kongressen svurits in idag på Capitol Hill, ABC "World News" ankare Diane Sawyer har en exklusiv gemensam intervju med den historiska klassen av kvinnliga senatorer. Diane Sawyers kompletta intervju kommer att sändas på "World News" och "Nightline" ikväll. "Jag kan inte berätta vilken glädje jag känner i mitt hjärta att titta på dessa 20 begåvade och begåvade kvinnor från två olika partier, olika postnummer för att fylla detta rum," Sen Barbara Mikulksi, D-Md., sade medan omgiven av gruppen kvinnliga senatorer. "Under hela den amerikanska historien hade endast 16 kvinnor tjänat. Nu är vi 20 stycken." Senator-vald Deb Fischer, R-Neb., blir idag de första kvinnorna att väljas till senator i Nebraska. »Det var ett historiskt val», sade Fischer, »men vad som verkligen var roligt med det var antalet mödrar och fäder, som förde upp sina döttrar till mig under kampanjen och sade: »Kan vi få en bild? Kan vi få en bild?' Eftersom människor inser det och -- saker förändras, förändras saker och ting." De kvinnliga senatorerna är alla överens om att kvinnor kommer att få saker gjorda i denna nya kongress, ett tecken på optimism kände för den nya kongressen, efter blåmärken striderna i 112: e kongressen. "Vi är i kraft och vi är i ledande positioner, men det är inte bara den position som vi innehar. Jag kan säga er att detta är en kan-göra-publik," Mikulski sade om både demokrater och republikanska senatorer i rummet. "Vi är i dag redo att bli en kraft i amerikansk politik." Och medan antalet kvinnor i senaten idag skapar historia, var många av kvinnorna överens om att de vill fortsätta kämpa för att öka dessa siffror. Sen Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., sade att kvinnor fortfarande är "underrepresenterade" i senaten. "Jag tror att tills vi kommer till 50 måste vi fortfarande slåss eftersom det fortfarande är ett problem", sade Boxer. "Jag tänker på den här klassen när ni ser er omkring, republikaner och demokrater. ... Jag tror att på grund av denna nya klass och kalibern hos de människor som kommer och kvaliteten på de människor som kommer, tror jag att förhoppningsvis under min livstid -- och jag hoppas verkligen och hoppas att så är fallet -- kommer vi att få se 50 procent. " Ingen studentförening Här, även med viljan att arbeta tillsammans Samarbetet gör dem inte till en "sorg", säger Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Det finns verkliga skillnader i ideologi och personlighet och de vill inte att deras kön ska definiera dem som senatorer. Men kvinnorna erkänner också att de tror att fler kvinnor i rummet skulle hjälpa till i häftiga förhandlingar, kompromisser och lagstiftning på Capitol Hill, egenskaper de säger inte kommer som naturligt till sina manliga kollegor i senaten. Den känslan åtnjuter bipartiskt stöd bland senatens kvinnor. "Vad jag finner är med all tillbörlig hänsyn till våra manliga kollegor, att kvinnors stilar tenderar att vara mer samarbetsvilliga," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, sade. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., sa av naturen att kvinnor är "mindre konfrontationella." Senvalde Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, säger att kvinnor är "problemlösare". Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., säger att kvinnor har ett kamratskap som hjälper i relationer som är nyckeln till förhandlingar på Capitol Hill, något hon säger kommer naturligt för kvinnor mer än män. "Jag tror att det bara finns mycket samarbete mellan de kvinnliga senatorerna och... råd och verkligen stå upp för varandra som man inte alltid ser med männen", sa hon. Feinstein sade att kvinnor är mer effektiva när de arbetar i kongressen på grund av dessa egenskaper som de för med sig till bordet. "Vi är mindre på testosteron", sa Feinstein. "Det behöver vi inte alltid vara konfronterande. Och jag tror att vi är problemlösare, och jag tror att det är vad det här landet behöver." Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, instämde. "Kanske är det testosteronet som du talar med, Dianne, eller egot som är fäst där. Men jag tittar på vad jag har blivit ombedd att göra av Alaskas folk, och det är ganska allvarliga saker. Och det är inte titeln, men det är ansvaret som följer med tjänsten som jag tycker gör skillnad," sade Murkowski. I Kongressens stridande salar argumenterade McCaskill för att kvinnor av alla dessa skäl kan komma bortom "teammentaliteten" hos demokrater mot republikaner och arbeta mot ett bättre mål. "Att ha oss i rummet... vi vill inte bara arbeta på ett bipartiskt sätt, vi gör det", sa McCaskill. "Vi arbetar faktiskt tillsammans, republikaner och demokrater, och kvinnor- försöker se på att lösa problemet snarare än att bara gå politiska punkter." Men kvinnorna är överens om att bara för att deras naturliga tendenser lutar mot problemlösning, kamratskap och kompromisser betyder det inte att de inte kämpar för vad de tror på, vilket ibland kan skilja sig markant från deras kvinnliga motsvarighet på andra sidan gången. "Det betyder inte att vi tänker lika, och det betyder inte att vi inte spänner över det ideologiska spektrumet", sade Collins. "Jag driver alltid tillbaka tanken på att det finns kvinnofrågor. Varje fråga från krig till skatter och utbildning påverkar kvinnor i det här landet. Och det är därför poängen med att ha kvinnor representerade i alla utskott och leda många av dem är så viktig. Reproduktiva rättigheter En av de ideologiska skillnader som ofta splittrar de två partierna, och ofta även kvinnor, är frågan om reproduktiva rättigheter. Förra året tog frågan en mittscen i 2012 års presidentkampanj samt i tävlingar över hela landet under kongressvalet som ett mycket polariserat och känslomässigt laddat ämne. Senatorerna visade att det råder oenighet bland dem om abort, beslut om reproduktiv hälsa och till och med oenighet om vilken ledarroll kvinnor och kongressen ska spela i de kommande debatterna. »Jag är för val», sade Collins. "Men jag anser att dessa frågor bör lösas och inte vara huvudfokus i debatten. För mig är dessa frågor, Roe mot Wade, avgjord lag och jag vet inte varför vi skulle vilja fortsätta att ta upp dessa frågor. Jag anser att vi bör fokusera som en laser på skapande av arbetstillfällen, ekonomi, hälsovård, utbildning, utrikespolitik, nationell säkerhet. Dessa frågor för mig är avgjorda." Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, var oense och sa att republikanerna satte dessa frågor på radarskärmen. "Jag tror inte att de är helt avgjorda", sa Warren, "jag måste säga att jag blev riktigt chockad över att det är kraftfulla frågor under 2012. Jag skulle vilja tro att dessa saker är lösta. Men de tvingades fram som frågor av människor som ansåg att kvinnor inte skulle ha den sortens tillgång. Och gosse, om så är fallet, då är det bäst att vi ställer oss upp och vi talar ut." Kan kvinnor fixa Washingtons dysfunktion? Den 112:e kongressen kan vara mest känd för utdragna strider, våldsamt partisanskap och föga att visa lagstiftande för året. Senatorerna hävdar, i början av en ny kongress, att fler kvinnor i ledande positioner och i leden som medlemmar kommer att bidra till att förbättra utsikterna för ett mer produktivt år. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., säger att kvinnor "lämnar sitt ego vid dörren och "mer naturliga samförståndsbyggare." Hon sade att kvinnor på grund av dessa egenskaper borde väljas till fler poster i kongressen. "Om den stora frågan i vår era just nu är dödläget i kongressen, då bör budskapet till det amerikanska folket vara att välja fler samförståndsbyggare för att få jobbet gjort," Cantwell sade. Sen Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. sa att om Washington någonsin kommer att fixas tror hon att det är kvinnor som kommer att leda vägen. Senatorn säger att hon har talat med president Obama om just denna fråga, och nämnt för presidenten att kvinnorna har en vana att träffas regelbundet på en bipartisan grund för middag. Presidenten, sade hon, planerar att ta emot kvinnorna i senaten i Vita huset snart. "När jag såg president Obama för några veckor sedan berättade jag för honom om våra kvartalsmiddagar och jag sa: 'Mr. President, om ni vill se tvåpartiskap i Washington bjöd in kvinnliga senatorer för att hjälpa er att få det gjort. " Och han älskade idén och han planerar att bjuda in oss till Vita huset." Förutsägelser för en kvinnlig president Bland senatorerna fanns enhällighet i att förutsäga, och hoppas, att det kommer att finnas en kvinnlig president snart, kanske redan 2016. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., sade här också det finns en viktig skillnad mellan hur män och kvinnor uttrycker sina personliga och politiska ambitioner. "Jag tror att saken är den att varje man vaknar på morgonen och tittar sig i spegeln och säger: 'Jag kan bli president.' Jag tror att varje kvinna ser sig i spegeln och säger: "Vad kan jag få gjort för mitt land idag?" Feinstein rättade skämtsamt till sin anmärkning att hon några gånger har lekt med idén mitt i en särskilt dålig episod av Washingtons rubel. »Nå, du kanske tänker det då och då», sade Feinstein leende åt utsikten. "Vanligtvis när man är frustrerad tror man att om jag var president så kunde jag få det gjort." Sen Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., delade en historia om sin 8-åriga dotter, Kate, som kom hem en dag och berättade för sin mor att hon inte ville att hon skulle ställa upp i presidentvalet eftersom hon själv ville bli den första kvinnliga presidenten. "Nåja, det är bäst att hon ringer Hillary [Clinton]," Boxer krossade deras tidigare kollega i senaten, allmänt tros ha en chans på Vita huset om hon skulle köra 2016. "Har du berättat nyheten för henne att vi inte väntar så länge?" McCaskill frågade med ett skratt. Ayotte log och sa att hon inte ville berätta för sin dotter att det kan finnas en kvinnlig president innan hennes dotter är myndig. Hon sa att hon sa: "Din mamma ska kampanja för dig över hela landet." Denna dysfunktionella kongress har ofta sett ut som en oregerlig skolgård, med coola barn, nördar, mobbare och utstötta som alla tävlar om sin egen bit av torv. Och även om vi inte skulle vilja minska de massiva, följdfrågor som kongressen kämpar med genom att jämföra hårt arbetande lagstiftare med skolbarn, låt oss vara ärliga, det ser ofta ut som en stor popularitetstävling. Textstorlek - + återställning Reps.-valde utsikter positiv POLITICO LIVE: 113:e kongressen kommer till Washington Med en skiffer av 84 House rookies svurit in på torsdag, är förstaårseleverna redan mete för sina platser i pecking ordning. POLITICO har hoppat framåt med förutsägelser för förstaårselever superlativ för den kommande 113:e kongressen, identifiera de personer vars namn du kommer att se i rubrikerna under det kommande året. Troligast att efterträda Tom Cotton (R-Ark. ): Trettiofemårige politiske nykomlingen Tom Cotton är redan hyllad som en av GOP:s snabbast stigande stjärnor. Cotton lägger skickligt Arkansas distriktet av pensionerade demokraten Rep. Mike Ross i republikanska händer, har en imponerande CV och en växande lista över fans på Hill. Den 6-fot-5 Harvard Law examen lämnade en advokatpraktik 2004 för att ta värvning i armén, tjänstgjorde i Irak och Afghanistan och vann en Bronze Star. Mellan turerna ingick han i Gamla gardet på Arlingtons nationalkyrkogård. Under sin kampanj, Cotton hejade av alla från Sen. John McCain till den fiskalt konservativa Club for Growth till Mike Huckabee. Cotton s utbredd vädjan över GOP cirklar redan har många surrande han kommer snabbt flytta upp leden i kammaren. Nyligen skrev Cotton en op-ed för The Wall Street Journal från en "soldatens ögonblick" smäller den potentiella nomineringen av tidigare Sen. Chuck Hagel för försvarsminister, och han har varit en av de högljuddaste röster mot sequester - en signal han är mer än redo att vara hans partis röst på Pentagon och försvarsutgifter. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.): Att få tre grader från Harvard och bli en framgångsrik akutmottagning läkare var bara inte tillräckligt för Raul Ruiz. Faktum är att den genomsnittliga tredagars arbetsveckan på Hill förmodligen kommer att verka som en semester för Ruiz. Innan han kandiderade till kongressen drev läkaren ett mentorskapsprogram, arbetade på en akutmottagning, öppnade hälsokliniker och drev hälsoutbildningsseminarier för fattigare samhällen. Ruiz, som har suttit fast länge Rep. Mary Bono Mack, räknar med att föra samma nonstop arbetsmoral till Capitol Hill. Ruiz berättade för POLITICO i november att han har planer på att arbeta med alla för att få saker gjorda. — Jag är läkare, vi arbeta i lag, sade han. “Jag är mycket engagerad i problemlösning.” Förvänta honom att vara en frispråkig och viktig röst för partiet i invandringsfrågor. Â°°
Summarize this article: Today the Senate will make history, swearing in a record 20 female senators -- four Republicans and 16 Democrats -- in office. As the 113rd Congress sworn in today at Capitol Hill, ABC "World News" anchor Diane Sawyer has an exclusive joint interview with the historic class of female senators. Diane Sawyer's complete interview will be broadcast on "World News" and "Nightline" tonight. "I can't tell you what joy I feel in my heart to look at these 20 talented and talented women from two different parties, different zip codes to fill this room," Sen Barbara Mikulksi, D-Md., said while surrounded by the group of female senators. "Throughout American history, only 16 women had served. There's 20 of us now." Senator-elect Deb Fischer, R-Neb., today becomes the first women to be elected Senator of Nebraska. "It was a historic choice," Fischer said, "but what was really funny about it was the number of mothers and fathers, who brought their daughters up to me during the campaign and said, "Can we get a picture? Can we get a picture?' Because people realize that and -- things change, things change." The female senators all agree that women will get things done in this new Congress, a sign of optimism felt for the new Congress, after the bruises fighting in the 112th Congress. "We are in force and we are in leading positions, but that is not just the position that we hold. I can tell you this is a can-do crowd," Mikulski said of both Democrats and Republican senators in the room. "We are ready today to become a force in American politics." And while the number of women in the Senate today is making history, many of the women agreed that they want to continue fighting to increase these numbers. Then Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said women are still "underrepresented" in the Senate. "I think until we get to 50 we still have to fight because it's still a problem," Boxer said. "I think of this class as you look around, Republicans and Democrats. ... I think that because of this new class and the caliber of the people who come and the quality of the people who come, I think that hopefully in my lifetime -- and I really hope and hope that is the case -- we will see 50 percent." No fraternity Here, even with the will to work together The collaboration does not make them a "sorry", says Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. There are real differences in ideology and personality and they don't want their gender to define them as senators. But the women also admit that they believe more women in the room would help in fierce negotiations, compromises and legislation on Capitol Hill, characteristics they say do not come as natural to their male colleagues in the Senate. That feeling enjoys bipartisan support among Senate women. "What I find is with all due consideration to our male colleagues, that women's styles tend to be more cooperative," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo, by nature said women are "less confrontational." Senvalde Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, says women are "problem solvers". Late. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., says women have a camaraderie that helps in relationships that are the key to negotiations on Capitol Hill, something she says comes naturally for women more than men. "I think there's only a lot of cooperation between the female senators and... advice and really stand up for each other that you don't always see with the men," she said. Feinstein said that women are more effective when working in Congress because of these qualities that they bring to the table. "We're less on testosterone," Feinstein said. "We don't always have to be confronting that. And I think we're problem solvers, and I think that's what this country needs." Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, agreed. "Maybe it's the testosterone you're talking to, Dianne, or the ego that's attached there. But I'm looking at what I've been asked to do by Alaskan people, and that's pretty serious stuff. And that's not the title, but it's the responsibility that comes with the service that I think makes a difference," Murkowski said. In the Congressional warring halls, McCaskill argued that for all these reasons, women can get beyond the "team mentality" of Democrats against Republicans and work towards a better goal. "Having us in the room...we don't just want to work in a bipartisan way, we do," McCaskill said. "We are actually working together, Republicans and Democrats, and women- are trying to look at solving the problem rather than just going political points." But women agree that just because their natural tendencies lean toward problem solving, companionship, and compromises does not mean that they do not fight for what they believe in, which may sometimes differ markedly from their female counterpart on the other side of the aisle. "It doesn't mean we think alike, and that doesn't mean we don't span the ideological spectrum," Collins said. "I always push back the idea that there are women's issues. Every question from war to taxation and education affects women in this country. And that's why the point of having women represented in all committees and leading many of them is so important. Reproductive rights One of the ideological differences that often divides the two parties, and often even women, is the issue of reproductive rights. Last year, the issue took a center stage in the 2012 presidential campaign as well as in competitions across the country during the congressional election as a highly polarized and emotionally charged subject. The Senators showed that there is disagreement among them over abortion, decisions on reproductive health, and even disagreement over what leadership role women and Congress are to play in the upcoming debates. "I'm in favour of elections," Collins said. "But I think these issues should be resolved and not the main focus of the debate. For me, these issues, Roe v Wade, are settled law and I do not know why we would like to continue to raise these issues. I believe that we should focus as a laser on job creation, the economy, health care, education, foreign policy, national security. These questions for me are settled." Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, disagreed and said the Republicans put these issues on the radar screen. "I don't think they're completely settled," Warren said, "I have to say I was really shocked that there are powerful issues in 2012. I'd like to think these things are solved. But they were forced to be raised as issues by people who felt that women should not have that kind of access. And boy, if that's the case, then we better stand up and we'll speak out." Can women fix Washington's dysfunction? The 112th Congress may be best known for protracted fighting, violent partisanship and little to show legislative for the year. The Senators claim, at the start of a new Congress, that more women in leading positions and in ranks as members will help improve prospects for a more productive year. Late. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., says women "leave their ego at the door and "more natural consensus builders." She said that because of these qualities women should be elected to more posts in Congress. "If the big issue in our era right now is the deadlock in Congress, then the message to the American people should be to choose more consensus builders to get the job done," Cantwell said. Since Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. said that if Washington is ever going to be fixed, she thinks it's women who will lead the way. The senator says she has spoken to President Obama on this particular issue, mentioning to the President that women have a habit of meeting regularly on a bipartisan basis for dinner. The president, she said, plans to receive the women in the Senate at the White House soon. "When I saw President Obama a few weeks ago, I told him about our quarterly dinners and I said, 'Mr. President, if you want to see bipartisanship in Washington, women invited senators to help you get it done." And he loved the idea and he plans to invite us to the White House." Predictions for a female president Among the senators there was unanimity in predicting, and hoping, that there will be a female president soon, perhaps as early as 2016. Late. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said here too there is an important difference between how men and women express their personal and political ambitions. "I think the thing is that every man wakes up in the morning and looks in the mirror and says, 'I can be president.' I think every woman looks in the mirror and says, "What can I get done for my country today?" Feinstein jokingly corrected her remark that she has played with the idea a few times in the midst of a particularly bad episode of Washington's ruble. "Well, you might think it from time to time," Feinstein smiled at the view. "Usually when you're frustrated, you think if I was president, I could get it done." Since Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., shared a story about her 8-year-old daughter, Kate, who came home one day and told her mother that she did not want her to run for president because she herself wanted to be the first female president. "Well, she better call Hillary [Clinton]," Boxer crushed their former colleague in the Senate, generally believed to have a chance at the White House if she were to run in 2016. "Have you told her that we won't wait long?" McCaskill asked with a laugh. Ayotte smiled and said she didn't want to tell her daughter that there might be a female president before her daughter is of age. She said she said, "Your mom's gonna campaign for you all over the country." This dysfunctional congress has often looked like an unruly schoolyard, with cool children, nerds, bullies and outcasts all competing for their own piece of turf. And even if we wouldn't want to reduce the massive, consequential issues that Congress is struggling with by comparing hard-working legislators to schoolchildren, let's be honest, it often looks like a big popularity contest. Text size - + reset Reps.-chosen prospect positive POLITICO LIVE: 113th Congress coming to Washington With a slate of 84 House rookies sworn in on Thursday, freshmen are already angling for their seats in pecking order. POLITICO has jumped forward with predictions for freshmen superlatives for the upcoming 113th Congress, identifying the people whose names you will see in the headlines of the coming year. Most likely to succeed Tom Cotton (R-Ark. ): Thirty-five-year-old political newcomer Tom Cotton is already hailed as one of the GOP's fastest rising stars. Cotton skillfully puts Arkansas district of retired Democrat Rep. Mike Ross into Republican hands, has an impressive resume and a growing list of fans on Hill. The 6-foot-5 Harvard Law graduate left a law practice in 2004 to enlist in the army, served in Iraq and Afghanistan and won a Bronze Star. Between the tours, he was part of the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. During his campaign, Cotton cheered everyone from Sen. John McCain to the fiscally conservative Club for Growth to Mike Huckabee. Cotton's widespread appeal over GOP circles already has many buzzing he will quickly move up the ranks in the chamber. Recently Cotton wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal from a "moment of the soldier" slams the potential nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense, and he has been one of the loudest votes against the Sequester - a signal he is more than ready to be his party's voice on the Pentagon and defense spending. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.): Getting three degrees from Harvard and becoming a successful emergency department doctor was just not enough for Raul Ruiz. In fact, the average three-day working week on Hill will probably seem like a vacation for Ruiz. Before running for Congress, the doctor ran a mentoring program, working in an emergency department, opening health clinics, and running health education seminars for poorer communities. Ruiz, who has been stuck for a long time Rep. Mary Bono Mack, expects to bring the same nonstop work ethic to Capitol Hill. Ruiz told POLITICO in November that he has plans to work with everyone to get things done. “I’m a doctor, we work in teams,” he said. “I am very committed to problem solving.” Expect him to be an outspoken and important voice for the party in immigration matters. <unk>
– Den finanspolitiska klippaffären var den sista hurra för 112:e kongressen. Nu kommer en nyvald klass till Washington, med mer än 90 nya ansikten gracerande Capitol Hill. Här är några av de anmärkningsvärda namn och fakta du vill veta: The Rising Star: Politico ser stora saker i beredskap för förstaårselev GOP Rep. Tom Cotton, som lämnade sin advokatpraktik 2004 för att slåss i Irak och Afghanistan. Han har redan fått stöd från så olikartade GOP-figurer som John McCain, Mike Huckabee och Club for Growth. The Workaholic: Innan du kom till kongressen, förstaårsdemokraten Raul Ruiz arbetade som läkare på akuten, drev ett mentorskapsprogram, öppnade hälsokliniker och drev utbildningsseminarier i fattiga områden. Och han låter redo att ta med sig den nivån av hängivenhet till Washington. "Jag är läkare, vi jobbar i team", säger han. "Jag är väldigt engagerad i problemlösning." Klasspresidenten: republikanen Luke Messer har utsetts till ordförande för förstaårseleverna, och låter som om han redan har koll på saker och ting, uppger The Hill. "Vid vårt första möte fastställde jag en regel där ... ingen kunde prata mer än två minuter", sade han på TV nyligen, "så vårt första möte tog 18 minuter, och alla var mycket glada." Inspirationen: Räkna med att veteranen och dubbel-amputee Tammy Duckworth ska vara en favorit hos demokraternas ledarskap. Hon har redan visat sig vara en underbar insamling, hållit ett väl mottaget tal på DNC, och landat en plats i försvarsutskottet. Pro: Hon kan vara nykomling till kongressen, men Ann Wagner har massor av erfarenhet, efter att ha varit ordförande eller medordförande i Missouri republikanska partiet, RNC, och Roy Blunts senatskampanj 2010. John Boehner har redan valt ut henne för att leverera veckotidningens GOP-adress. Alan Grayson är tillbaka. Det finns en anständig satsning du kommer att se Ted Yoho på kabel nyheter. En stor djurveterinär till handel, Yoho vid ett tillfälle körde en annons med lera-spatade politiker brottas med och äta tillsammans grisar. Han kanske kan umgås med republikanen Kerry Bentivolio, en renfarare från Michigan. The Empty Seats: Denna kongress kommer att vara noterbar delvis för de färgstarka personligheter som avgår: Barney Frank, Ron Paul, och Dennis Kucinich kommer alla att vara borta. The Familiar Names: Det blir återigen en Kennedy på Capitol Hill, då Joseph Kennedy återvänder för att fylla Franks plats. Joaquin Castro ger samtidigt ett bekant ansikte – han är tvillingbror till DNC:s huvudtalare Julian Castro. Damerna: ABC News rapporterar att senaten från och med idag kommer att bestå av rekordsättande 20 kvinnor.
“The fiscal cut deal was the last hurrah for the 112th Congress. Now comes a newly elected class to Washington, with more than 90 new faces gracing Capitol Hill. Here are some of the notable names and facts you want to know: The Rising Star: Politico sees great things in store for freshman GOP Rep. Tom Cotton, who left his law practice in 2004 to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has already received support from such diverse GOP figures as John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Club for Growth. The Workaholic: Before you came to Congress, freshman Democrat Raul Ruiz worked as a doctor in the emergency room, ran a mentorship program, opened health clinics, and ran educational seminars in poor areas. And he sounds ready to bring that level of devotion to Washington. "I'm a doctor, we work in teams," he says. "I'm very committed to problem solving." Class president: Republican Luke Messer has been appointed president of the freshmen, and sounds like he already has things under control, reports The Hill. "At our first meeting I set a rule where...no one could talk more than two minutes," he said on television recently, "so our first meeting took 18 minutes, and everyone was very happy." Inspiration: Expect the veteran and double-amputee Tammy Duckworth to be a favorite of Democratic leadership. She has already proved to be a wonderful fundraiser, delivered a well-received speech at the DNC, and landed a seat on the Defence Committee. Pro: She may be a newcomer to Congress, but Ann Wagner has plenty of experience, having been chairman or co-chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, RNC, and Roy Blunt's 2010 Senate campaign. John Boehner has already selected her to deliver the weekly paper's GOP address. Alan Grayson's back. There's a decent bet you'll see Ted Yoho on cable news. A major animal veterinarian to trade, Yoho at one point ran an advertisement with mud-spated politicians grappling with and eating together pigs. Maybe he can hang out with Republican Kerry Bentivolio, a Michigan reindeer man. The Empty Seats: This Congress will be notable in part for the colorful personalities who resign: Barney Frank, Ron Paul, and Dennis Kucinich will all be gone. The Familiar Names: There will once again be a Kennedy on Capitol Hill, as Joseph Kennedy returns to fill Frank's seat. At the same time, Joaquin Castro gives a familiar face – he is the twin brother of DNC's keynote speaker Julian Castro. Ladies: ABC News reports that as of today, the Senate will consist of record-setting 20 women.