Newly elected U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-District 4, was officially sworn in as a member of Congress on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
"It is a great honor and privilege to serve the hardworking taxpayers of Arkansas in their Fourth District office. As we start the 114th Congress, I look forward to fighting for more freedom for my constituents who have seen nothing but hassles from President Obama and his administration's record of overreach. This Congress will force the President to make a choice -- whether to listen to people, or follow his own personal agenda. I am looking forward to his choice," Westerman said in a statement issued after the swearing in.
Westerman is the 20th congressman from Arkansas' 4th Congressional District. The Associated Press reported that the Republican Party will hold 246 House seats in the new Congress, to 188 for the Democrats, the biggest GOP majority in nearly 70 years.
The official swearing in at noon in the House chamber was followed by a ceremonial swearing in with Speaker John Boehner of Ohio in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Westerman was joined for the ceremony by his wife, Sharon, children Eli and Asa, and his parents.
An open house was also held Tuesday at Westerman's Washington office for constituents to have a chance to visit with the congressman and the Fourth District staff.
Additional district offices are open in Hot Springs at 101 Reserve St., Pine Bluff at 101 E. Eighth Ave., Room 2521; and El Dorado at 101 N. Washington St., Suite 406. Office hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Local on 01/07/2015