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New Indiana members of Congress settle in to roles

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Indiana's congressional delegation has some new faces — and with them a new, rightward tilt.

Four new Republicans began representing the state in the U.S. House on Wednesday as the 112th Congress began: Reps. Todd Young, Todd Rokita, Marlin Stutzman and Larry Bucshon. They join another newcomer — albeit one with a familiar face — in the U.S. Senate, where former GOP Sen. Dan Coats is taking over the seat vacated by Democrat Evan Bayh.

Like the rest of Congress, Indiana has shifted back toward Republicans after four years of solid Democratic gains. The GOP now holds six of Indiana's nine House seats and both of its Senate seats. In the 111th Congress, Democrats held five House seats and one of the state's Senate seats.

The switch has meant an almost immediate 180-degree shift in rhetoric and priorities for Indiana's congressional delegation, a change that was already obvious on Wednesday.

Take Young, who is representing Indiana's 9th District. He's replacing former Democratic Rep. Baron Hill, who was a strong supporter of President Barack Obama and provided key votes on a number of issues including Obama's signature health care plan.

One of Young's first priorities? "I intend to sign on as a co-sponsor to repeal and replace this health care legislation," Young said in an interview Wednesday.

Along with his new cohorts, Young has spent the last few days in a whirlwind of orientation sessions, learning how Congress works and meeting his new colleagues. He said he is acclimating quickly: "We've graduated from the 'where's the bathroom' stage," he said.

His next step, he said, will be pushing a slew of issues that helped Republicans ride back into power. Besides health care, he wants to work on finding ways to reduce the deficit and creating new jobs in the private sector.

On the other side of the Capitol, newly sworn in Sen. Dan Coats hit similar points.

There's less orientation involved for Coats, who previously served in the Senate from 1989 to 1999. But Coats said there are new colleagues to meet and what he called a "new spirit" in the chamber.

Coats is critical of Obama for what he called poor management of the deficit, and said the health care law has to change. He also lambasted the previous Congress' efforts at job creation.

"We have a chance now with Republicans controlling the House and with more sway in the Senate to effectively present a message," he said.

Rokita, who is taking over for GOP Rep. Stephen Buyer in Indiana's 4th District, agreed. He said the new additions to Indiana's congressional delegation are united by a sense of common purpose.

"We're here on a mission," he said. "This is the starting line not the finish line. So today is not so much a celebration or a time to dwell on the accomplishment of getting elected, it's time to get to work."

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  • New Congress?
    I have been reading on Politico about the congressmen who are hiring registered lobbyists for their staffs. In Indiana we don't have to worry about that; we have a lobbyist for our new Senator. I'm interested in the rest of the Indiana congressmen and who they hire for advice. I think the lobbyists will control the 112th Congress. The "new spirit" looks a lot like the past; special interest strikes again.
  • GO TODD!
    Now the real work begins, do it well.

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  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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