California’s newest congresswoman tackles health care

July 16, 2009 | By Kitty Felde | KPCC
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Two days after she won a special election, Judy Chu of Monterey Park today became the newest member of Congress. Chu succeeds Hilda Solis, who left the House to become labor secretary. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says Congresswoman Chu has a few things to learn about Capitol Hill.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: We’re very excited to be welcoming a new member of Congress today. Congratulations to you, Congresswoman Chu.

Kitty Felde: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi administered the oath of office on the House floor, and followed with the traditional second ceremonial swearing-in the elegant Rayburn Room next door. Judy Chu’s father, siblings, several nieces and a nephew surrounded her. Her husband, California Assemblyman Mike Eng, held the bible.

Chu is the first Chinese-American woman to take the oath on. She was appointed to the Education and Labor Committee and she’ll immediately join the debate over restructuring America’s health care system. Congresswoman Chu started to list her priorities right away.

Judy Chu: Well, one thing for sure. My district is one with many health care needs and there is a great need for universal health care so I am committed to making sure that this happens in this session.

Felde: Congresswoman Chu will discover that neither the House nor the Senate is interested in universal health care just now. The Senate isn’t interested in including any sort of public insurance component in the package it’s debating. But it’s only day one for the newest member of Congress, Judy Chu.

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