The 2025-26 legislative session is officially underway in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Those elected this past November gathered in the state Capitol on Tuesday to take the oath of office. As we previously reported, the House of Representatives will maintain it’s 102 – 101 split in favor of the Democratic caucus. Despite having one member not in attendance on Tuesday (Rep. Matthew Gergely is in the hospital recovering from a medical emergency and was unable to attend the ceremonies) Philadelphia Democrat Joanna McClinton was ultimately selected to serve a second term as Speaker of the House. Across the building, the Senate – which continues to have a Republican majority –was also officially sworn in. Republican Sen. Kim Ward was selected by her colleagues to serve a second session as the Senate Pro Tempore.
Both chambers are scheduled to return to session the week of January 27 for the organization of the official standing committees. You can read more about the swearing-in ceremonies in this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article.