The Pennsylvania State House convened at the State Capitol to administer the oath of office to members of its 209th legislative session.
Pennsylvania Chief Justice Debra Todd administered the oath of office to lawmakers in the house, which included 16 fresh legislators representing communities from across the Commonwealth.
During the ceremony, Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) was re-elected as Speaker of the House. She took an oath Supreme Court Justice Timika Laneand he had a Bible in her hand Cathryn Irviswidow of the former and first African-American Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, K. Leroy Irvis.
In addition to welcoming fresh and returning lawmakers to the chamber, McClinton, who is the first woman to serve as speaker of the nation’s oldest continuously operating state legislature, painted her vision for the upcoming two-year legislative session as one of optimism, civility and productivity.
“I am proud of what this House has been able to accomplish for all Pennsylvanians by working together – from saving seniors on property taxes and rent to tripling tax breaks for working families,” McClinton said.
“I hope the upcoming session will be even more productive. Our neighbors sent us here to lower costs for families, protect access to health care, strengthen public safety, and fund our schools fairly. I look forward to seeing the policy solutions my colleagues put forward in response to some of the most pressing challenges facing the Commonwealth, and to the spirited and respectful debate in this House. And in our Chamber, it doesn’t matter where a good idea comes from, as long as it helps the people we serve.
The Democratic leadership team in the House of Representatives includes:
- Nominated Speaker: Rep. Joanna McClinton, Philadelphia/Delaware
- Leader: Rep. Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery
- Whip: Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh
- Appropriations Chairman: Rep. Jordan Harris, Philadelphia
- Caucus Chair: Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver
- Secretary: Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks
- Administrator: Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware
- Policy Chair: Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie
To deal with the changing issues before the chamber, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives added three fresh standing committees for the 2025/2026 legislative session: Communications and Technology; Energy; and: Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations. The committee chairs were announced as part of the day’s opening proceedings.
Aging and Aging Services – Chair Maureen Madden, D-Monroe
Agriculture and Rural Affairs – Chairman Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerna
Appropriations – Chairman Jordan Harris, Philadelphia
Children and Youth – Chairwoman Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh
Commerce – Chairman Scott Conklin, D-Center
Committee on Commissions – Chairman Dan Miller, D-Allegheny
Communications and Technology – Chairman Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery.
Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities – Chairman Danilo Burgos, Philadelphia
Education – Chairman Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh
Energy – Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, Philadelphia
Environmental and Natural Resources Conservation – Chairman Greg Vitali, D-Delaware
Ethics – Chairman Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh
Finance – Chairman Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton
Game and Fisheries – Chairwoman Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny
Gaming Oversight – Chairman Pat Harkins, D-Erie
Government Oversight – Chairman Morgan Cephas, Philadelphia
Health – Chairman Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny
Housing and Community Development – Chairman Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny
Social Services – Chairman Dan Williams, D-Chester
Insurance – Chairman Perry Warren, D-Bucks
Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations – Chairman Dave Dellosso, D-Delaware
Judiciary – Chairman Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery
Work and Industry – Chairman Jason Dawkins, Philadelphia
Alcohol Control – Chairman Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny
Local Government – Chairman Bob Freeman, D-Northampton
Professional License – Chairman Frank Burns, D-Cambria
State Government – Chairwoman Carol Hill-Evans., D-York
Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development – Chairwoman Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery
Transportation – Chairman Ed Neilson, Philadelphia
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness – Chairman Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia
