After initially withholding invitations to Pennsylvania Republican David McCormick and Arizona Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego (D) due to unresolved ballots in their respective races, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has now invited both to this week’s Senate orientation.
Schumer’s initial exclusion of McCormick sparked controversy, especially after The Associated Press declared him the winner of the Pennsylvania Senate race days ago. Republican strategists pointed out that Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) had little chance of overturning McCormick’s 35,000-vote lead, calling the decision to exclude McCormick unnecessary.
Newcomers McCormick and Gallego prepare for Washington as orientation begins
Despite Casey not conceding, Schumer responded to mounting pressure from colleagues and extended an invitation to McCormick on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Schumer confirmed that both McCormick and Gallego were invited to attend the orientation.
Schumer made the announcement following the AP’s declaration of Gallego as the winner in Arizona. This came after The Hill’s Decision Desk HQ projected Gallego’s victory over Republican Kari Lake, though no call had been made in the Pennsylvania race at that time.
The growing pressure to include McCormick and Gallego in the orientation started after Sunday, with Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) sharing her own experience from 2018. Sinema recalled attending orientation even though her race hadn’t been decided for six days, urging Schumer to invite the incoming senators.
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), both moderate Republicans, also voiced support for McCormick and Gallego’s inclusion in the orientation. Murkowski congratulated McCormick, while Collins expressed her excitement about welcoming him to Washington.
