Facebook: What users had to say to Julia Brownley on her first day
WASHINGTON — Julia Brownley's first day on the job started with a chilly morning walk to the U.S. Capitol, where she stood on the steps alongside other female lawmakers and posed for a group photo.
From there, Brownley headed across the street to get her first look at her new office space in the Longworth House Office Building. "It's like moving into a house," she said. "The bookshelves are empty and all of that. We are looking forward to making it feel like a warm place for people to come and visit."
The rest of the day, there were receptions to attend, photos to be taken, organizational tasks to be performed, like picking up the card she'll use to cast her votes.
Finally, shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, Brownley stood on the House floor with other lawmakers, raised her right hand and repeated a 71-word oath read by Republican House Speaker John Boehner. And with that, the Oak Park resident officially became one of 82 new members of the U.S. House — and the first Democrat in 70 years to represent the heart of Ventura County in Congress.
"It has been an exciting day all the way around," Brownley recalled later. "To actually be sitting on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and all of the history associated with that, and to know that I am part of it, is really emotional. I'm so very, very grateful to the people of Ventura County for giving me this extraordinary opportunity to be able to serve them and to serve our country."
Brownley will represent the newly realigned 26th District, which now takes in most of the county, except for part of Simi Valley and a thin strip of coastal land. She won the seat in November by defeating Republican Tony Strickland in a hard-fought, close election.
Brownley succeeds Republican Elton Gallegly, who retired this week after representing the bulk of Ventura County for the past two and a half decades. Gallegly decided not to run for another term after he was thrown into the 25th District when congressional lines were redrawn in 2011.
On her first day as a member of Congress, Brownley was surrounded by family and friends who had traveled hundreds — even thousands — of miles to share in the celebration.
Her daughter Hannah, who lives in Belgium, flew in for the ceremonies. So did her son, Fred, a medical student at UCLA, as did as her brother and sister-in-law from Florida and numerous friends from Ventura County and across the country.
"It has been a great day, and very emotional really, to have all of my family members all together because we live in different places," Brownley said.
While Thursday was mostly a day for pomp and pageantry, there was some serious business to be done.
Brownley cast her first official vote when she joined other lawmakers in electing the next House speaker. Brownley and other Democrats voted to return their leader, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to the job. But the vote was largely ceremonial and the outcome never really in doubt. Boehner, an Ohio Republican who succeeded Pelosi two years ago, was returned to the speaker post for another two years.
Brownley has hired only a skeleton staff, so the next few weeks will be busy interviewing prospective employees and opening up district offices in Ventura County.
Meanwhile, she's still waiting to hear on what committees she will serve. She already has been named to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
"I'm very excited about that because there's a large veterans' community in Ventura," she said. "I think there's a lot of work that can be done in that area. I'm looking forward to being able to enhance the service level in Ventura for veterans."
An announcement on another committee assignment is expected soon, possibly today.
"I'm really ready to get to work," Brownley said.
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Comments » 50
Larry007 writes:
First time in decade we were represented by a Communist. Ironic how she snuck over the border of Ventura County to get the job and was sworn in by people who snuck over the border of the United States. Good luck, Brownley.
rjlebeck writes:
It's nice to see some new faces in Congress.
That being said, while it may be blue and not red, all we have done is trade one party hack for another. Brownley is about as independent as a stick. Gallegly was reliably the same way except I would like to shake his hand for dissin' the Tea Party with his last remaining vote.
I take that back. A stick would be more independent than Julia Brownley.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Outstanding Julia!!! So much better than Tony Strickland would have been. And his sycophants are WAAAAAAY out there to. We have seen enough of just how bad Teabag nuts can screw up the economy.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
I to want to congratulate Elton Gallegly for growing a backbone and slamming the disgusting Tea Party with his last vote. Too bad he could not have grown it 20 years earlier though.
TOaksLover writes:
yes I had to dig to find that Elton did not make the Tea card with the cliff vote!! THANKS!!
the first Democrat in 70 years to represent the heart of Ventura County in Congress.
Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/jan/0...
- vcstar.com
This is just disgusting In TO I had Nielonson, Bobbie Fiedler and of course Sherman for a long time. Capps has had Oxnard/PH for years
So Ventura & Camarillo are VC heart.
This plays into the STUPID carpet bagger charge.
WELCOME Modern day Joan of Arc!!! No name calling PLEASE!! Your speaker uses the F work SHAME!!!!!!!!!!
Phil_Jaramillo writes:
"stood on the steps alongside other female lawmakers and posed for a group photo."
and if the men wanted to stand on the steps and pose for a photo that excluded women they would be called sexist.
RIGHTisRIGHT writes:
We are in deep trouble now. Brownley is a dedicated pro illegal. She has always been supportive of " comprehensive immigration reforms"
Translated meaning her first order of business is to dismantle all the hard work Gallegly did in formulating illegal immigration controls at our southern border and creating program in the legal system that has INS involved when illegal's are arrested for vioation of laws.
Brownley has stated "I would advocate for the creation of an earned pathway to citizenship, coupled with increased border security measures and mechanisms to both hold employers who knowingly violate the law accountable and make sure that workers and businesses pay their fair share of taxes"
Aren't you glad you voted for Brownley?
Lets_Be_Truthful writes:
Oh, for a second I thought that was Julia's pic on the main page of VcStar
ARealRealityCheck writes:
It's simple, I now refer to today's Democrats as today's Communists! Joe McCarthy was correct. The USA was infiltrated by Communists in the post-war era and it's taken decades to send a communist to the White House and to congress; but they're "transforming" this country. And, it ain't pretty folks.
cvh#214155 writes:
Well, the last thing we need is an absolute rookie at the bottom of the seniority list representing us. Regardless of your politics, a rookie is not the representative you want.
She does live within easy driving distance to LAX so she can easily makes trips to Washington from her home, I hear.
VintageRacer writes:
"...and was sworn in by people who snuck over the border of the United States."
Really? Illegal immigrants preside over the swearing in of new legislators? I had no idea! But I found this if you need help in understanding our political system.
"The Constitution specifies no details for the oath of office for Congress:
Constitution, Article 6 - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. "
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgove...
Tomcat_Driver writes:
ROTFLMAO!!!
kenternst writes:
One more "nail in the coffin" to California's budget deficits courtesy of additional irresponsible liberal representation without sufficient conservative counterpoint for balance ans stability.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
Just clueless.
RIGHTisRIGHT writes:
Typical liberal response when they can't handle the truth.
JDees603 writes:
Well this will be interesting. I'm beginning to think that an independent would have been a better choice, seeing as Ventura County is the oddball in the fact that the county is almost evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Either way, she better learn to be able to be a moderate on issues or possibly cross the hall on certain issues or chances are that she wont be holding office for long.
Knowledge_from_experience_NOT_spin (Inactive) writes:
I wonder how many posting to this article served in combat to prevent folks like Brownley from taking over our once great country ... while also wondering if those who so love her have failed in their pursuit of life to the degree that they need the Obamas and Brownleys for survival. When attending language school in the late 50's and being exposed to things Soviet, goals and objectives of the Communist party were studied in parallel with language and culture. Sadly, it appears that mindless followers of the pied pipers of the left, under Obama, The Great Divider, have pretty well helped those goals and objectives to become reality. Unless there is a major swing in the opposite direction, the middle class in this country will disappear. Then, there will be the elite and all others.
TheRevWillyD writes:
The ballots of those in combat got 'lost'
ParalegalTina writes:
Congressman Gallegly has retired and we now must let him rest. The county spoke as to who they wanted elected. Please give her the chance, I hope she will put constituent services as her main priority for our communities. Good Luck Congresswoman Brownley
peppermezzetta writes:
Very handsome photo.
RIGHTisRIGHT writes:
As the liberals lament when a conservative displaces a liberal,it is the tyranny of the majority we now must deal with.
We now will suffer the the wrath of the liberals displaying a lack of judgment , sense of reason ,logic and common sense.
ARealRealityCheck writes:
All you Democrat Communist voters did was weaken a country. You can't handle the truth!
DanaEslinger writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
ms_reason writes:
More liberalism...just great.
Debra writes:
Way to keep it classy Dana. Thank goodness we have folks like you around to keep reinforcing the notion that only the best looking women--not sure if you would include men--have anything to contribute. Based solely on Julia's advocacy on behalf of foster youth, I consider her to be beautiful.
eng42 writes:
The right wing nuts never change. Anyone who doesn't fall for the fairy tales they believe in must be a communist.
shiro writes:
Another liar joing the den of liars. They care more about their re-election than this country. And their supporters are a bunch of sheeple. Not able to think on their own.
stoked writes:
At least she doesn't have to stand on a box to reach the microphone.
Girls rule!
Lo_Information_CalDem_voter writes:
Us 'lo-info' types voted for her. We don't know why we voted for her. But we did.
Oh, yeah, I do remember now. She had a "D" beside her name.
As my name suggests, we are thick (like a brick), we vote as a block and we're impenetrable. We are Cal/Dem voters, hear us roar!
AlyssaKnowsTruth writes:
I could not agree with you more. It is sad I am a 23 year old who is new to politics while most of my generation thinks these so called leaders are the best fit for us I am wise to know otherwise.
shsp writes:
Ah, the miracle of gerrymandering bears fruit...
Forever_Young writes:
"Brownley cast her first official vote when she joined other lawmakers in electing the next House speaker. Brownley and other Democrats voted to return their leader, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to the job."
Doesn't say much about her character.
A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.
Theodore Roosevelt
HuskyGrad writes:
Congratulations Julia, we are all very proud to have you representing us in the new Congress. It's great to finally have a Congresswomen who will work for all the constituents in the county - not just the millionaires and billionaires.
Forever_Young writes:
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln
Lo_Information_CalDem_voter writes:
Hey! I resemble that comment!
2BR_BZT writes:
For the first time in way too many decades we will be represented by someone who hasn't cozied up next to big business, polluters, and fanatics.
This has been my hope for the last 43 years that I've lived in this amazing County.
jjohnjj writes:
Coming from Sacramento with a solid record of legislation and committee leadership, I expect Ms. Brownley to make us all proud during her first term in Congress.
And coming from Sacramento, she's well acquainted with the Republican's style of political hostage-taking and over-the-cliff theatrics.
The average IQ of Congress went up a little yesterday.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
I am sorry I missed his comment. One thing is for certain though. As is typical very little thinking went into it. History proves that.
Larry007 writes:
Voter fraud, mostly in Oxnard, pretty much got her the job. Same-day voter registration was impossible to monitor. Now, let's see if she truly represents "us" or "them."
JMeeks71 writes:
Think about it for a moment...
Julia Brownley enjoyed an overwhelming majority in the California legislature and presided over and supported every budget the state has passed during her time in the Assembly. She even approved a budget that Gov. Brown called highly irresponsible. And the state billions in debt, has the highest taxes, most regulations and one of the highest unemployment rates. California has 12% of the population and over 30% of the welfare obligations. She is as liberal as they come. She moved to Ventura County early last year and got elected simply because she has a "D" next to her name. The joke is on you, Ventura County. Democrats pander to people they think are stupid. I've been around private conversations of local Democrats. They think you're stupid and they'll keep waving shiny things in your face to get elected. At least Republicans want some sort of restraint on the steroid-like growth of government.
Thankfully the congressional terms are only two years. Bring back Tony Strickland. At least he knows Ventura County and fights for it with some degree of reason.
peppermezzetta writes:
JMeeks71: Concur with first paragraph. However, re Tony Strickland: He's dumber than a box of hair.
VintageRacer writes:
False! Show proof. There was no voter fraud. You just like to whine.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
ROTFLMAO!
RIGHTisRIGHT writes:
Clueless !
viking2265 writes:
Please change your post to "Congratulations Julia, MANY of us are very proud to have you representing us...."
You see Husky, many of us are NOT proud to have this ultra-liberal representing us.
So speak for yourself and those who voted for her....it wasn't everyone.
Tomcat_Driver writes:
That describes you!
thick (Inactive) writes:
Except for a vocal few, Kitty's self-righteous insults fall on the ears of the smiling majority.
We pity you as to be so pointless in your insults embarrases the rest of us.
Try and add something besides baseless rants and outdated links to pablum.
Meeeyow! Bad Kitty!
ms_reason writes:
Exactly. I didn't vote for her either. She is way too liberal. What a shame for the County.
coolcounty2000#418373 writes:
California doesn't have same day voter registration. Brownley won all but two cities in the district and even got mid-40s in the ones she didn't win, it was fair win.
Lets_Be_Truthful writes:
Thank you kindly for supporting and voting for these types of people.
http://www.dailynews.com/breakingnews...
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