New House members from Ariz. take different paths

WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Martha McSally and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego were sworn into office Tuesday as Arizona's newest members of the U.S. House delegation, their paths for now defined by the surrounding political climate that favors Republicans.

McSally, the first woman to command an Air Force fighter squadron, has clearly been marked by Republican leaders in the House for special exposure among the 43 GOP freshmen.

She was one of two freshmen featured on "Fox News Sunday" and was selected chairwoman of a subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee, an unusual slot for a new member.

Gallego, meanwhile, has yet to receive his committee assignments and is planning to focus in his first weeks in Congress on establishing relationships with other members, "learning the ropes and finding some good compromise."

McSally won the 2nd District over incumbent Democrat Rep. Ron Barber in one of the closest races in the country and is taking a conciliatory approach.

"I am always going to be looking for the things that unite us, not the things that divide us," McSally said in a back room in her office suite as a reception was beginning for her nearby. "Hard-working southern Arizona families are looking for better economic opportunities."

Her constituents also are looking for certainty from Congress, she said, something that has been missing because tough issues are kicked down the road.

"People don't know what's coming next and so they (business owners) tend to not want to grow," she said. "Even if businesses have the capability to grow, the uncertainty has them hold back."

McSally also was named to the Armed Services Committee and said she plans to focus on preserving and expanding operations at the two bases in her district — Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca Army Base.

"Right now I am very worried about the hollowing out of the military," McSally said.

Gallego, who replaced the retiring Rep. Ed Pastor in the 7th District, said he will focus on legislation that helps the working class.

"We need to make higher education more affordable, ensure that veterans and our families get appropriate care and that working families have the resources they need to get ahead, that immigrant families are no longer separated and that teachers have the resources and compensation they deserve," he said.

Gallego was joined for his swearing in by friends and family members, including his high-school librarian and his boss at his job at a burger joint in Chicago.

"I wanted them to be here because a lot of the reason I am here is because of them," Gallego said during a celebration at a Capitol Hill restaurant.

Contact Bill Theobald at wtheobal@gannett.com or follow on Twitter @BillTheobald.