Sen. John Cornyn meets Wednesday with newly elected senators. (Office of John Cornyn)
WASHINGTON — Lots of new faces today at the Capitol, and many of them are beaming. Senators-elect met with Texas Sen. John Cornyn today — the reinforcements needed to change his title from minority whip to majority whip.
They also met with soon-to-be Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Orientation for newcomers to the House and Senate begins today. They get sworn in just after New Year’s. Three new Texas Republicans are joining the House: John Ratcliffe of Heath, Will Hurd of San Antonio, and Brian Babin of Woodville. Ratcliffe ousted GOP Rep. Ralph Hall of Rockwall in the primary. Hurd unseated freshman Democratic Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine last week. And Babin will replace Rep. Steve Stockman, who gave up his Houston-area seat to challenge Cornyn in the primary.