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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Politics
Jack Webb

First two Native American congresswomen embrace after swearing in

The first two Native American women to ever be elected to Congress shared an embrace on the House floor after being sworn in.

Democratic representatives Debra Haaland (New Mexico) and Sharice Davids (Kansas) shared the sweet moment as newly-elected House speaker Nancy Pelosi welcomed and congratulated the 116th Congress.

In the video, Ms Haaland appears to wipe away tears as she hugs her fellow congresswoman in celebration.

Ms Davids, who on Thursday became the first ever LGBT+ member of Congress from the state of Kansas, is a member of the Ho-Chunk nation of Wisconsin.

Representative Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe and she wore a traditional Pueblo dress for the swearing-in ceremony.

There are more women than ever before, and a new generation of Muslims, Latinos, Native Americans and African-Americans is creating a House which better represents the population of the United States.

The midterm elections in November saw Ms Haaland and Ms Davids become the first two Native American women to be elected to Congress.

In the election, Ms Haaland defeated former New Mexico State Representative Janice Arnold-Jones, receiving 59.1 per cent of the vote, while Ms Davis defeated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder.

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