A Member of Congress’ freshman year is usually spent developing a strong platform and voting record to make the case for a second term. But House Republicans, in their depleted state, have turned to the freshman class as an important tool in their effort to rebrand the GOP.
Unlike many of their Democratic counterparts, most House Republicans elected in 2008 hail from safe conservative districts, leaving them free to delve into party politics usually reserved for veteran lawmakers.
As part of a GOP leadership campaign to characterize the Democratic majority in Congress as secretive and tyrannical, several GOP freshmen said at a Tuesday press conference that their inexperience in the ways of Washington, D.C., gives them credibility to push the issue of transparency and government openness.
“As a freshman Member of the House, I [was] disappointed earlier this year when the Democrat leadership refused to allow Members of Congress to read and reflect on landmark legislation,” Rep. Steve Austria (R-Ohio) said. “The Republican freshman class wants to be part of the solution. We want to help foster a more open and transparent and accountable debate in the House of Representatives.”
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