HERE COMES THE 113TH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.............

The 113th Congress of the United States convened in the Noon hour Eastern Time in Washington, D,C. today with the Election of the Speaker of the House, and the swearing in of House of Representatives and U.S. Senate members.  Incumbent House Speaker John Boehner, Republican of Ohio, was re-elected over House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, by a vote of 220 - 192.  Twelve Republican Representatives cast votes for others; while nine  Democratic Representatives abstained or did not vote for Speaker.  Two seats in the 113th Congress are currently vacant.  In the U.S. Senate, Vice President Joe Biden, who is the President of the Senate, swore in newly elected and re-elected Senators to their new terms.  Today is a mainly ceremonial day, with the work of the 113th Congress getting unerway tomorrow.............Fr.  Troy