Fong sworn into 118th Congress; predecessor McCarthy joins Bakersfield lawmaker for Capitol ceremony

Vince Fong, winner of the special election in California’s 20th Congressional District, was sworn in Monday to succeed fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy, who resigned from the seat in December following his ouster as Speaker of the House.

Fong, 44, was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., amid the House’s second session of the 118th Congress and before an early recess this week as leaders in Congress plan to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the U.S. landing on Normandy long recognized as D-Day.

The ceremony took place in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., officiated by Johnson.

In brief remarks after taking the oath of office, Fong declared himself “humbled” to enter the seat.

“I was born and raised in the Central Valley,” Fong said. “The son of a local pharmacist who moved his family to Bakersfield, California for new opportunities, never imagining that one day he would witness his son speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives.”

He was joined by his wife, Amanda, his parents and his niece, Evie, who Fong said “is celebrating her ninth birthday with us today.” Fong also thanked McCarthy, who sat in attendance in the second row on Monday, alongside former colleagues.

“He has worked tirelessly on behalf of the constituents of the Central Valley, of California and our nation,” Fong said.

Fong was introduced by fellow California Republican Ken Calvert, who heralded Fong’s political background.

“While he may have just arrived, Vince is joining our delegation after serving at the California State Assembly since 2016,” said Calvert, R-Corona. “He is also armed with the knowledge and invaluable insights learned from his time serving as a staff member in Kern County with legends like Bill Thomas and Kevin McCarthy.”

“We have no doubt that you will be just as successful as your mentors,” he added.

This comes after Fong won the May 21 special election with 60.6% of the vote — his fourth electoral victory this year, to include his March 5 re-election win for California State Assembly.

From this post, Fong will serve until January 2025, under the remaining months of the term made vacant by McCarthy’s resignation.

He comes at a tumultuous time in the House; earlier that day, briefings were held by FEMA administration amid an upcoming and “very active” hurricane season; State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told a D.C. press tent that “Hamas, not Israel,” remains the only roadblock to President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal in the Israeli war on Gaza; and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, testified before the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on his overseer role on the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his address to the legislative body, Fong said that the concerns of his voters share those of the nation, from the “border crisis” between the U.S. and Mexico to rising costs of living.

“There are certainly no shortage of challenges facing our nation, my state of California and my district,” Fong said. “But this is also the moment where we together can make the most positive impact.”

With his entrance, House Republicans will have 218 members, giving them a slim, five-member majority over House Democrats.