On First Day of New Congress, Rep. Waters Gets Right Back to Work

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) was sworn in today as a member of the United States House of Representatives as the 111th Congress started.  First elected to Congress in 1990, Rep. Waters is now beginning her 10th term.  She represents the 35th District of California, comprised of a large part of South Central Los Angeles, the communities of Westchester and Playa Del Rey as well as the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lawndale.

"I'm honored to continue to represent the people of the 35th District, and I'm eager to begin this new session of Congress so we can address the challenges our communities and our nation face.  We have to take steps to revitalize our economy, create jobs, expand access to affordable health care for all Americans, invest in education, move towards energy independence, reduce poverty, and bring our troops home from Iraq.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate and in partnership with President Barack Obama on this agenda."

Congresswoman Waters, the Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, has made foreclosure prevention a top priority, and today she picked up where she left off at the end of the 110th Congress, reintroducing her legislation to reduce and prevent foreclosures by implementing a comprehensive program to modify loans for homeowners at risk of losing their homes.  "The housing market crisis is at the very heart of our nation's economic struggles.  A systematic approach to loan modifications will help keep millions of families in their homes," she said.

In addition to her official swearing-in, Congresswoman Waters participated in the swearing-in ceremony for members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).  Founded 40 years ago, the CBC currently has 41 members.  Congresswoman Waters served as CBC Chairwoman during the 104th Congress, and she remains an active leader within the CBC.

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