POLITICO – Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) was sworn in as the newest member of the House of Representatives Tuesday, replacing former Rep. David Wu, who resigned last summer following allegations of unwanted sexual conduct.

Bonamici, a former state senator, easily defeated Republican Rob Cornilles in a Jan. 31 special election to fill the northwest Oregon district. The seat is heavily Democratic – it has sent only Democrats to Congress since 1974.

“Our economy and the nation’s confidence are both in need of rebuilding,” Bonamici said on the House floor. “As we work together, let us remember that the unparalleled prosperity and creativity of this great nation over the last century can be traced to this promise: That if you work hard and play by the rules, you can succeed in America.”

With Bonamici’s arrival, the House now has 242 Republicans and 192 Democrats. The seat of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who stepped aside last month to focus on healing from her injuries sustained in the Jan. 8, 2011 shootings in Tucson, remains vacant.

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