Newcomers learn to navigate life on Capitol Hill

GWEN IFILL: Congress returned to Washington yesterday, along with a few dozen newly elected members.

The NewsHours Domenico Montanaro spoke with some of the newcomers as they learned how to navigate life on Capitol Hill.

DOMENICO MONTANARO: While the new Congress doesnt start until January, its newest members are in town this week for orientation, a kind of lawmaker boot camp.

Its a time of transition on Capitol Hill. One in eight congressional offices is getting a new boss, with a total of 70 new members coming in. Most of them are staying here in the Capitol Hill Hotel. For members of both parties, its a hectic time.

REP.-ELECT MIMI WALTERS, (R) California: Its been a whirlwind so far.

DOMENICO MONTANARO: New member Mimi Walters arrived Tuesday night and already has a long to-do list.

MIMI WALTERS: Theres so many people we have to meet. Theres so many things we have to get done. We have to hire our staff. We have to get our offices. We have to find a place to live. We have to get oriented with Washington, D.C.

WOMAN: Hi. How are you, sweetie?

DOMENICO MONTANARO: The California Republican was elected from a district some 2,600 miles away. We caught up with her while she was taking a look at potential office space.

MIMI WALTERS: Oh, my gosh, these offices are so small.

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Newcomers learn to navigate life on Capitol Hill