Incoming House Freshmen Gather for Orientation

More than 100 new members arrived in Washington as several House and Senate races remain uncalled.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Incoming House Freshmen Gather for Orientation

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More than 100 incoming House members arrived on Capitol Hill for new-member orientation, which runs through Nov. 18. At least 109 freshmen are expected to take House seats, the largest incoming class since 1933.

Why it matters

The size of the incoming class and the outcome of remaining races will shape the balance of power when the new Congress convenes. Democrats have already secured majorities in both chambers, but the uncalled contests will determine how large those majorities are.

At least 109 freshmen are expected to take House seats, the largest incoming class since 1933. As of Monday morning, 19 House races and Senate contests in Alaska and Mississippi remained uncalled.

The players

Scott Colom

Mississippi Democrat who held a lead over the incumbent Republican senator in the state's Senate race as of Monday morning.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican U.S. senator from Mississippi whose race against Democrat Scott Colom remained uncalled as of Monday morning.

The details

Members-elect are attending briefings, touring the Capitol, learning how to hire staff, and drawing numbers in a lottery that sets the order in which they choose offices. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom held a lead over Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith as of Monday morning, and Hyde-Smith's campaign lawyers asked counties to preserve affidavit ballots.

Nov. 9, 2026: New members arrive on Capitol Hill for orientation
Nov. 18, 2026: Orientation program concludes
Jan. 3, 2027: New Congress convenes

Legislative Policy

The incoming class of at least 109 freshmen is the largest since 1933, a benchmark that frames this year's House turnover as historically unusual. The final size of Democratic majorities will shape how the new Congress approaches its legislative agenda.

The final balance of House and Senate seats determines which party controls committee assignments and which bills reach the floor in the next Congress. Voters in Mississippi and Alaska will see those races settled as counting and challenges continue.

The takeaway

Watching the remaining uncalled races offers a clear view of how the next Congress will be divided. Tracking the final seat count is the most direct way to understand which party holds the working majorities.

What happens next

The 19 uncalled House races and the Alaska and Mississippi Senate contests will be resolved as results are finalized, ahead of the new Congress convening on Jan. 3, 2027.